How to Put Your Faith Into Action

READ — Luke 10:30-37 

The Good Samaritan 

Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.

“By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.

“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’

“Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

DEVOTIONAL 

The parable of the Good Samaritan isn’t just about someone who did something nice for a stranger. It demonstrates what being a good steward is.

In contrast to the religious hypocrites who ignored the dying man and passed to the other side of the street, this foreigner had compassion for him and took the time to bandage his wounds—despite being despised by the Jews.

The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, "Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.”
Luke 10:35

There are different theories about how much two silver coins were worth back then—ranging from two days’ to two months’ wages. (And that’s before he came back to check on the man and pay any additional expenses.)

No matter what the coins were worth, the Good Samaritan did everything in his power to care for the man in need. If we were in that situation, would we go out of our way to help someone in need?

APPLICATION 

This week, ask yourself these questions: 

1. Is there something tugging on your heart that could be from God? What needs or person in your life could use some compassion? 
2. Is there a way to step up your Good Samaritan game? 
3. How can you do good for the Kingdom—even if you can’t give monetarily? 

What’s one thing you can do this week to become more like the Good Samaritan? 

PRAYER

Jesus, thank You for trusting me with Your money and resources. I pray to become more like the Good Samaritan who went out of his way to help someone in desperate need. Please empower me to use my time and money to do Your will. In Your name I pray, amen.