What Helping Others Involves

The parable of the neighborly Samaritan recorded at Luke 10:29-37 shows that helping others may involve real self-sacrifice. IN answer to the question, "Who really is my neighbor?" Jesus told of a Jewish man who was beaten by robbers and left for dead. Despite racial tensions that existed between Jews and Samaritans, a Samaritan man was moved to put himself out for a crime victim. He cared for the man's wounds, using wine and oil from his own provisions. Then he gently lifted the man onto his beast and took him to an inn. He paid the innkeeper about two days' worth of wages and promised to pay an additional expenses incurred.


This moving illustration captures the essence of what it means to put oneself out for others: to take the initiative, to make oneself a neighbor to others. It involves being willing to sacrifice time, energy and expense. Let's discuss some ways to do this.

Next time: Putting Yourself Out For Your Family.