Knowing that He would be misunderstood, His message manipulated for personal use and His miracles minimized to free health insurance and lunch programs, Christ still gave up His position in Heaven and His life on earth to pay the debt for the sins separating us from God. From His sacrificial gifts we gain the blessing of the resurrection of Easter.
Consider how much His gave, the next time a discussion of the Good Samaritan leads to a list of reasons for not actually doing something similar today because, “It’s different today when it comes to helping others than it was in Christ’s time.”
It is not different.
Traveling the long lonely roads to the next community in Bible times meant risking aggravated robbery. Today, just like the priest and the Levite in the parable, we look doubtfully at hitchhikers, stalled cars beside the road and roughly dressed strangers holding up signs “will work for food.” Just like the priest and Levite, we look away and head for the other side of the road.
The story about the Good Samaritan is Jesus answer to a legal question, “who is my neighbor.” He concluded His answer with the question, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:36,37 NIV)
The story of the Good Samaritan reflects what Christ did when He moved across eternity to our side of the road and took pity us. He took us up in His arms, treated our wounds with living water, provided us with eternal shelter and promised to return to make right anything lacking. “Freely you have received, freely give,” Jesus said. Matt. 7:8b
Jesus always commanded those who would follow Him to go out of their way and do for others, “If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.” Luke 6: 29-30
We are to give freely because we are to be like the Son of God who promises, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38
This kind of giving is not to be an occasional event but a way of life. As we give, God promises a blessing will come back. Although one time He provided needed cash from a fish’s mouth, typically God uses other people to bless us as they choose to deal with our business, hire us for a position or invest in us in other ways.
“Right,” we say and still caution, “don’t get fooled.”
Oddly, Jesus, who knew everything, had a thief for a disciple. When Mary anointed him with oil, Judas asked, “‘Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.’ He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.” John 12:5-6.
Jesus gave His earthly goods and His miracles to people who turned around and wanted more, arrested Him and then sought His crucifixion. He gave everything – including His life.
Christ commended the widow for giving her two mites – not because of the amount or the impact it would have economically – but because she had given everything she had from her love for God.
Certainly we want accountability and should expect regular audits of the books, but even when someone skims off the top for themselves, that does not give us permission to excuse our tight fisted impulse when we see a person in need.
Yesterday was Easter. Today weigh your giving in light of the fact that Christ gave up everything for us. Then remember His admonition in Matthew 25:40, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”