Compassion Beyond Convenience

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 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.’” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 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. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 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. 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.’ “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.”

The expert already knew the answer — He wanted justification NOT understanding

This reveals a boundary-drawing impulse — a desire to limit responsibility rather than expand love.

Samaritans were descendants of Israelites who intermarried with foreign populations after Assyria’s conquest (722 BC)

Jews viewed Samaritans as:

Religiously compromised

Ethnically impure

Theologically heretical

Jews avoided Samaritan towns, refused Samaritan hospitality, and considered them unclean.

Calling a Samaritan “good” was culturally shocking.

Both the priest, and the levite found it to be inconvenient for them to stop and help their neighbor who was in need of help — literally was a matter of life or death.

The priest and the levite would have been considered a likely source of rendering aid to a fellow brother in need… but in this case they were only worried about what was beneficial to them.

However, an unlikely source was more than willing to not only stop and render aid but to ensure he was well taken care of for approximately a period of 2 -3 weeks.

Our Neighbors aren’t just those in our community they are anyone that we should come in contact with

We are called not to only help those who are followers of Jesus but even those who are non believers.

Being neighborly can often times be an inconvenience BUT it is the most rewarding.

Opportunity Creates Responsibility

Galatians 6:9–10 NIV

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

In our modern day society it can be appear to be difficult to help others

We can even be tempted not help certain people because of the views that we have been taught or had handed down to us.

Paul tells the church in Galatia to NOT grow weary in doing good… Because at the right time we will reap our harvest of the many good seeds that we have sown.

We MUST be relentless because Jesus was and is relentless

Even as we do right by others who are not yet in Christ we MUST also be sure to do right by God’s people as well!

God purposely puts opportunities in front of us all of the time… Are we truly not noticing or are not wanting to notice it?

What opportunities will you take advantage of this week?

Generosity That Pleases God

Hebrews 13:16 NIV

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

We often times find the excuse as to why we “can’t” give.

God tells us to give out of faith (trust & Dependency) upon Him

It blesses the heart of God when we sacrificially give

If someone asks for money we may truly not have any money to give but we do have other resources that we could provide

Prayer

Listening

connecting people to people who can help

Even as we give to others it serves as an act of worship to God

God has given us a blessing to find the true blessing — blessing others

Scripture teaches us that it is better to give than it is to receive.

In what way is God calling you to be generous this week as an act of worship to Him?

Called By God To Love Others

Leviticus 19:18 NIV

“ ‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.

God doesn’t call us to get even when people betray or hurt us but rather to forgive, love, and serve them

God doesn’t just call us to love people who are like us but even those who are completely different from us

God holds us His people to a high standard of reflecting the same love that He reflected in and through His Son Jesus!

We don’t love others because of what they can do for us but instead because of who God is!

In what way will you spread God’s love to others this week?

Your Next Steps

Identify the Neighbor God has placed in Front of you - This week, intentionally ask God to open your eyes to the people you already encounter—at work, online, in your neighborhood, or in your family. Am I overlooking someone because helping them feels inconvenient or uncomfortable?

Act On the Opportunity - Even When It’s Inconvenient - Take one tangible step this week:

Help someone in need

Offer your time, encouragement, or presence

Serve without expecting recognition or return

3. Practice Generosity As An Act of Worship - Generosity that pleases God often requires sacrifice. Choose one way to give sacrificially this week:

Pray intentionally for someone

Listen without rushing

Connect someone to help

Give financially if you are able

4. Love Beyond Boundaries - Neighborly love is not selective—it is obedient. Serve or show kindness to someone outside your normal circle:

Someone who thinks differently

Someone who is far from God