The Good Samaritan

““But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. “On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.’ ” (Luke 10:33–35, NASB95)
We all know the story of the “Good Samaritan”, I am in a philosophy class now and even the book that we use studies this story. After reflecting on this story for a while I decided to jot down a few thoughts.
1. Samaritans were un-people to the Jews because of their mixed race status.
2. He came to the aid of a person who had a legitimate need that the wounded person could not meet on his own.
3. The Samaritans “compassion” resulted in actions that actually met the needs of the person being helped.
4. The Samaritan had the means and was willing to help.
5. The Samaritan did not lose himself helping the other person.
a. The Samaritan was traveling for an unknown reason.
b. He had to go somewhat out of his way to help.
c. It cost him something to help, time and money.
d. He did what he could only to the point that he was reasonably able. He did not stay around to “nurse” the wounded man back to health.
e. Once he provided for the persons needs the Samaritan went on about his business.
I think that point five may be the most important point. Too many times we, as Christians, get involved in helping others and lose sight of our responsibilities to our families and ourselves. I once worked with a man who had to hide his pay from his wife because she would give it all away to “help” the needy. Sometimes this would leave them unable to pay their own mortgage or be unable to buy food. He would try and explain that they had to take care of their own family first and she would call him selfish and un-Christian. When I left that work place he was thinking of leaving his wife because of the damage she was doing to their family while “helping” others.