We all know the story of the Good Samaritan. Even outside of the church, it’s used as a standard for helping others. There is a man who is hurting and in need. A stranger comes along and takes the time to help this person he has never met before. He gets him to refuge and even spends his own money to pay an innkeeper to look after the guy. And I don’t know of really anyone who would not be willing to help someone out like this. We would all be willing to help someone who is hurt. We would all be willing to give financially to a charitable cause. But notice, the story doesn’t end with the good Samaritan handing over some money then walking out the door.
“And the next day [the good Samaritan] took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’” (Luke 10:35)
The good Samaritan didn’t just throw some money at the situation and pat himself on the back, he followed up with the injured man. He came back to check on him.
We are good at helping those who are hurt or in need. We are good about giving financially to charitable causes. But how good are we at following up and staying in contact with people who are in need? There are many people right now who are hurting (some physically, many mentally). Have you been reaching out the people who haven’t been to church in a while, or neighbors who don’t get out much, or those who are struggling with health issues? And I don’t mean ‘Have you called them once or twice?’ Are we reaching out to them every single week?
The famous part of the story is where the good Samaritan does the one-time, upfront work of helping the injured man and paying for his needs. But I’d say the most important part of the story is in those last four words which shows truly how much the Samaritan cared. He checked in on the injured man.
Today, check in with someone that needs to hear from you.