The Good Samaritan

It is so hard to remember that, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). We need to be reminded of this fact all the time. It is a lesson that keeps eluding us because it goes against everything in human nature.

Somehow, there is a subtle, sneaky way our minds work to create an inner attitude that says it's better to be a "receiver" than a giver. This certainly not a new idea. It's as old as self-centeredness, which means that it's as old as humanity itself. And, of course, the world around us blasts us with the same message every hour of everyday. It is taken for granted by most people that whatever brings pleasure or possessions to them is automatically good. But contradicting all that is the "obvious." Jesus says: "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

You know? I truly believe the Good Samaritan was a very happy man. He was a "giver." As a Samaritan, he was hated and despised and considered "inferior" by the Jews of his day. But when a Jew who had been mugged and robbed was found lying by the side of the road in a pool of his own blood, it was the despised Samaritan who came to his rescue.

Two Jewish leaders passed by this badly injured man before the Good Samaritan arrived. But they were to preoccupied with their religious responsibilities to stop and help this dying man. Besides, the mugged man was a pathetic and disturbing sight. And this was a dangerous, high-crime area. The only prudent thing to do was to keep on moving and get out of there as quickly as possible.

But the Samaritan had a deeper urge than prudence. Ignoring his own personal safety, he poured wine on the open wounds of the injured man. He then soothed the pain with oil and covered the wounds with cloth, probably torn from his own garments. The Samaritan was covered with grime and blood as he lifted the man onto his donkey. Holding the man on the donkey, he walked along side him to the nearest inn, where he stayed and ministered to him through the night. In the morning, he paid for the man's expenses and left only after promising to pay for any further expenses that might be incurred (Luke 10:30-35).

What a beautiful morning it must have been to the Samaritan. I'm sure there must have been a peaceful look on his face as he rode along. Sure, he'd blown his "schedule" by making this unplanned stop. But the Good Samaritan was not behind schedule. He was right on schedule. He was right on time.

Somewhere, somehow, sometime this "outcast" Samaritan had discovered that "joy was an inside job." He had learned and remembered one of life's most vital and most elusive truths: "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35).

Modern Day Atlas

The other night I awoke about two A.M. Couldn't sleep. My mind was spinning. I was mulling over all the problems of the church, all the problems the people were facing in their personal lives, all the things I should have done already, and all the things I still needed to do, all the annoying little things that people do and say. All, all, all....no use. No sleep. I rolled from one side to the other, wrestled with my pillow, and kicked the covers. Finally somewhere around dawn, I dozed off just in time for the alarm to wake me up.

As I headed to the office I was still at it, thrashing away frantically at ALL! I gripped the steering wheel sternly. My chest felt tight. My body was taut. I was physically in the car and even managing to drive somehow, but my mind was all over the place. Here it was a lovely sunny day and I was trying to be a modern day Atlas. I was carrying the cares and concerns of MY world on my shoulders. I was a weary wooden warrior of worry.

Then a thought hit me. Hey! What are you trying to do run the universe? Remember you didn't create it and God didn't assign you the task! So stop trying to play Mr. Atlas. Do you think that God has no stake in YOUR world or in YOUR life? Do you think God is unaware of all these problems? After all, God has seen problems and people come and go. But the sun still rises in the East and sets in the West, and life still goes on . . . new problems and new people.

As I drove along, the bigger my thoughts about God became, and the smaller my problems became. Before I reached the office I was driving with one hand, leaning back in the seat, singing outloud, and enjoying the drive.

Many times we miss so much when we trust only in our own mind and muscle. Tell me the absolute truth: Are you enjoying this day? Or are you so wrapped up in self-pity, worry and feverish activity that you can not feel the sunshine, see the stars, hear the laughter of children, or know the presence of God?

Can I give you two words of advice? Stop it! Remember God has a stake in YOUR life. He wants you to relax and enjoy this day. And tonight, when you go to bed; say a prayer, put your head down on the pillow, and go to sleep. Peter said it this way, ". . . casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."

God will take care of the universe while you are asleep. After all He has been doing it for a long long time.

The Test

A little over a year ago I went to my orthopedic doctor for a bum knee. We decided surgery was the best option. Because of other health issues I had to "be cleared" for surgery by my primary care doctor. She required an echocardiogram before she would "clear" me for surgery. Test results...not good. I was then told I needed to undergo the "Stress Test." After much discussion I agreed to the procedure. Test results...not good.

I was told I had a severe blockage in my arteries. I felt fine, with the exception of my knee, but my heart was a ticking time bomb. I never would have guessed it.

The stress test made the difference. After receiving the results I was in stunned silence. I couldn’t believe it. I was a little plump but not overweight. I played golf and basketball. I swam a little and took the stairs, sometimes, during hospital visits. I wasn’t the picture of perfect health, but heart disease? How could this happen to me?

Eventually, I accepted the truth and prepared myself for by-pass surgery. I used the word eventually, but this process lasted about one week. As I worked myself through this quagmire of disbelief, a spiritual message began to emerge.

The stress test made the difference. Our spiritual lives must be strong enough to face the stress test because the stresses of life will surely come; the stresses of loneliness, temptation, of rejection, fear of death, fear of life, of ruptured relationships, of sickness, of pain, and of disillusionment. These stresses can be just too much for a weak spiritual heart, but they are inevitable for all of us. We must all ultimately face the stress test of life no matter how easily and comfortably things seem to be riding along at the present.

Kind of like the guy in the Bible who knew that the storms would be coming, and therefore, built his house upon a rock. We too must build our own lives with the inescapable storms always in mind. The stress test is always on the horizon, and a phony faith will never pass the test. Remember, a person’s faith is no stronger than his hardest test.

The Apostle Paul was able to pass the stress test. Listen to him, “…I have learned how to be content in whatever circumstances I am in. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11-12 NASB).

Are you ready for the stress test?