The Bible teaches us to love our neighbor (Matt. 22:39) and to be friendly (Prov. 18:24), but the Bible also warns us of imposing ourselves on others. Proverbs 25:17 states, “Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, Lest he become weary of you and hate you.” It is important to visit our friends, our brethren and our neighbor, but we must also be mindful of when we go, how often we go and how long we stay. This goes for actual visits in their home, as well as contact by other means. Interestingly, the proverb right before it relates – “Have you found honey?” (In other words, “Have you found something good?”) “Eat only as much as you need, Lest you be filled with it and vomit” (25:16). The old saying, “Familiarity breeds contempt,” comes to mind.
We have a responsibility to serve others (Gal. 5:13), do good unto others (Gal. 6:10), visit others (Jas. 1:27), give to others (Eph. 4:28), look out for the needs of others (Phil. 2:3-4). We should “addict” ourselves to such activity (1 Cor. 16:15). But, we must also be mindful to not make such efforts about us or to impose ourselves (and our wishes) on others.