More Than A Material Gift - Our Love

Leaven

Luke 10: 25-37 (NIV)

²⁵ On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

²⁶ “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

²⁷ He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

²⁸ “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

²⁹ But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

³⁰ In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. ³¹ A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. ³² So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ³³ But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. ³⁴ He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. ³⁵ The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

³⁶ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

³⁷ The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Jesus wants us to love our neighbor. How often do we think if we put a dollar in a cup held by a homeless person on the street or make a donation to a non-profit or a contribution in our church offering that we have satisfied that mandate. Many of us having no problem giving things but may be unaware that God seeks more than our things. He wants us to give of ourselves, to inconvenience ourselves, to become vulnerable for the sake of others.

My wife and I have friends who encountered a man in need who had no place to stay. He was a believer. They decided to come alongside him in his hour of need. The man was of a different race. It didn't matter. They chose to open their home to the man. This was not their first occasion of providing shelter to someone in need. They view their home as a gift that God has given for both their use and His. Our friends are empty nesters. So, in allowing their new guest to stay in their home, there were times when the wife might be at home alone with him and times when he would be in their home unsupervised. It didn't matter.

In an effort to help the man regain his footing, they extended an offer of employment. The man stayed with them and worked for them for a year. While staying with them he revealed that he had an upcoming court date (out of state) for a situation that occurred 2 years prior. As his case was being adjudicated, they still chose not to abandon their guest. They went out of state to testify at his hearing. They had observed his conduct in their home and as an employee. So, they were able testify regarding his character. Ultimately, their guest was found guilty and sentenced to time in prison. He expressed gratitude for all they had done and felt that he was in a much better place than he was when he arrived at their home. They have maintained contact and even though he is in prison, he is at peace and believes he is growing spiritually.

I don't believe I'm ready to do what our friends did, but I have no doubt their actions were what Jesus had in mind when He said, "Go and do likewise." Giving love is about more than giving material things. The Samaritan in Jesus' parable gave of both the things in his possession and himself. So did our friends.

However, the issue is not whether you've taken a stranger into your home. The issue is whether our eyes are open to the situations and people who God places in our path who need for us to stop and give of ourselves. The co-worker or person in the apartment on the first floor who needs to be heard. The homeless person who needs for you to ask their name and whether they are ok (in addition to buying a meal). Both seeing needs and being emotionally present matter. Matt 25: 34-40 For I was hungry, thirsty, needed clothes, sick, in prison...... and you were there. That too is what Jesus had in mind.

Opportunity for Growth & Change

This week, prayerfully consider the people God puts in your path, and be open to His prompting that you give of yourself.

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