Luke 10 provides us with a parable with which most of you are familiar. It is the story of three men, each with a different reaction to a wounded man.

A lawyer, wanting to trick Jesus, stood before Him and asked this question: “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “What is written in the law? How readest thou?”

The lawyer answered, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.” Then the lawyer asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?”

Jesus answered the lawyer with the story of a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. Thieves attacked the man and left him lying on the road, stripped of his clothes, wounded, and half dead.

A priest came by; but instead of stopping, he passed by him on the other side of the road. A Levite came by. He looked at the man, but he also passed by on the other side.

The third man, a Samaritan, came by. When he saw the wounded man, he had compassion on him. He just couldn’t cross the road and leave this poor man to die. So, he bandaged him and took him to an inn, cared for him, and left money for any future needs he might have.

After Jesus had told this story, he asked the lawyer, “Which now of these three, thinkest thou was neighbor to him that fell among the thieves?” Of course, the lawyer had no choice but to say the Samaritan. Jesus then told him to go and do likewise.

We have heard this story so many times, but I want us to think about what this story says to us.

• The thieves had the idea that what is yours is mine.
• The priest and Levite had the idea that what is mine is mine.
• The Samaritan believed that what is mine is yours.

Is it any different with us today? Thieves still break into homes, cars, businesses, or whatever they choose. They believe that what belongs to me is really theirs, and they should have it if they want it.

There are still those who are “religious” who think they are special and what they have belongs to them and them alone. They don’t want to share their time, their money, or their possessions. They don’t want to be bothered with those in need.

Thankfully, there are men and women who care about others. They believe what they have should be shared. They believe in sharing the things God has given them.

Two of the children in my Bible class, brother and sister, recently became concerned about some people they saw standing by the interstate asking for money. Their parents explained that these people (according to a local news report) make their money begging from people. They don’t work; they just ask other people for money. This still concerned the children, and their parents set about to find a way to help the children satisfy their concerns. So, they prepared necessary personal items and a snack in a zip lock bag with a pamphlet about the church. When they see these men and women on the road, they stop and hand them one of the bags. This is the Samaritan story in action!

These parents are putting into practice the idea of what is ours is yours, if you need it. The children are learning a valuable lesson about showing love to their fellowman.

May we all think twice before we turn down a request for help. One day we will have to answer to God for our actions.

–Sandra Oliver