December 10, 2010
Truth Connections
Devotions for Parents on the Go

Go and Do Part Three: Compassionate Action
Background Passages: Luke 10:25-37
Today's Focal Passage:

33 But a Samaritan on his journey came up to him, and when he saw the man, he had compassion. 34 He went over to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, 'Take care of him. When I come back I'll reimburse you for whatever extra you spend.'
36 "Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?"
37 "The one who showed mercy to him," he said. Then Jesus told him, "Go and do the same."

Luke 10:33-37, HCSB
Go Out of Your Way

   The night before writing this devotion, I had eaten dinner with a friend. As we left the restaurant, we were approached by a lady. She said, "Sirs, sirs, please do not cuss me out but I need your help." This lady was homeless and pregnant and needed money. My friend and I both reached for our wallets. He had no cash. The only bill I had was a twenty.
  
For a brief moment, thoughts like these passed through my mind: What will she really spend this money on? Twenty dollars is too much. What if I need that money for something myself?" Isn't it sad that our minds often immediately go there? Well, I reached in, pulled out the bill and gave it the lady. We wished her well and asked her to take care of the baby. It is not my place to judge or question. I did what I felt God was leading me to do. How she uses the money is between her and God. And, in the grand scheme of things, what was twenty dollars to me?
 
 I do not share this story to pat myself on the back. There have been numerous times in the past that the thoughts mentioned above have won out and I have not shared from my abundance. Just as the Samaritan in today's verse went out of his way to assist the wounded man, so must we. We must be willing to sacrifice not only financial resources but also time, comfort and our own personal convenience. And, we must be willing to reach beyond racial and ethnic barriers.
 
 To act as a neighbor means to take personal responsibility for others in need regardless of who they are, where they are or their need.

When did you last go out of your way to help someone?

Kyle Cravens
Digging Deeper: Compassion

The Samaritan felt compassion that drove his practical actions to meet the needs of a hurting man. The Greek verb Jesus used in the parable meant to have pity on or feel sympathy for someone or something. In the ancient world, the noun form of the verb referred to the inner seat of emotions. What apparently motivated the actions of the Samaritan was missing from the other two persons who passed by the one needing help. Their hearts were not moved by his plight. They failed to exhibit sympathy or pity for one whose desperate situation should have taken precedent over any concern or pressing appointment they might have had. Christians must possess a heart that burns for the hurts, needs, and circumstances of those around us. Such sympathy should move us to put our feelings into practical actions, helping others and bringing glory to God.