How Much Help Should We Provide to Neighbors?

Neighbors at the door

A knock was heard at the front door. Mrs. Cohen went to open it, and -- surprise, surprise -- there were Mrs. Schwartz's two children. Before they opened their mouths, Mrs. Cohen knew exactly why they were there.

"What is it this time -- a bag of sugar? Eggs for a cake?" she wondered. The Schwartz family was in the habit of constant borrowing from their neighbors, the Cohens. They always made sure to return everything, but it was often inconvenient. Not a week went by without them asking for something, and sometimes there were multiple requests per week. "Are we a grocery store?" the Cohen children asked themselves resentfully. "Why can't they just get organized!"

Where should one draw the line between kindness and being taken advantage of, and what should the Cohen family do?

Response

Since the Schwartz family always returns what they borrow, there is no justification for rejecting their requests. However, since the Cohens sometimes experience inconvenience (for instance, they don't know when the items will be returned and may have to repurchase things for themselves in the meantime), they should carefully assess their feelings. If they come to the conclusion that they are feeling exploited, they may have to be honest with the Schwartz family and see if they can find a solution that works for everyone.

Challenge

Try to lend items to neighbors happily while reflecting on the great kindness we merit to do for them.

From the book Man's Duty in His World - Issues in Ethics and Character for the Whole Family.