Picnics are usually a lot of fun, unless you realize— minutes before you leave—that you’re supposed to bring a dish to share! When this happened to me, I quickly put some meat in a pot, cranked up the heat, and left the kitchen to finish other preparations. Several minutes later, I smelled something burning. I ran to the kitchen, but of course it was too late to salvage the burnt offering.
Though I hadn’t actually done anything wrong, it was what I didn’t do that caused the problem. This principle relates to a Bible verse: “It is a sin to know what [we] ought to do and then not do it” (James 4:17).
In the Old Testament, Moses said if a person noticed his neighbor’s ox “wandering” around, he should lasso the animal and deliver it to its owner (Deuteronomy 22:1). And if the ox fell down in the road, the person who noticed should help get the beast back on its feet (Deuteronomy 22:4).
In the New Testament, Jesus told the story of a Samaritan who stopped to help a man who had been robbed and beaten. Over the centuries, the kind man came to be known as the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). What made him good in Jesus’ eyes? He didn’t sin by failing to do the right thing. Referring to the Good Samaritan’s deed, Jesus encouraged His disciples, “now go and do the same” (Luke 10:37).
Today, we might be tempted to speed around the “ox” in the street or the “beaten victim” with a honk and a cheery wave to avoid being late for soccer practice. But what would God have us do? I believe He would want us to slow down, step out of our comfy confines, and consider the needs of others. May we reflect God’s compassionate heart as He guides us today!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Jonah 1:1–2:10
More:
Read Philippians 2:4 and consider the importance of being concerned about the needs and interests of others.
Next:
Does awareness of a need automatically translate into responsibility to meet that need? Why or why not? How does God’s compassionate heart affect you as you consider the needs of others?
Gary Shultz on June 3, 2016 at 6:47 am
Good questions Jennifer, questions we probably often ask ourselves? I used to pick up hitch hikers, I used to give some folks money. The world we live in has changed, we can’t fix it all. I would still probably stop for an elderly person or a woman, often times with cell phones help has already been contacted. I get many requests from different ministries for funds. The question again becomes who is our neighbor, maybe even, where is danger? That’s why I like ministries that know and understand the culture and meet the needs. I do think there is still many safe and good opportunities to help. I think with prayerful consideration God will put us where He needs us. And I still think God is able to protect, guide and bless those who share what God has given us. God has a plan, we need to know where we fit it. Thanks Jennifer, sorry about the “smoked” meat.
godlove on June 3, 2016 at 11:33 am
I know what you mean Gary, and I can relate to that as well. I’ve heard many stories of people actually falling into danger when they were just trying to help. I guess all we can do is really just rely on the Spirit to help us identify situations when people are truly in need and where we can offer our helping hand.
gagirllive on June 3, 2016 at 8:33 am
Cute story, Jennifer. I can identify. I’ve prepared a few “burnt offerings” from my kitchen as well. 🙂 I know that there are no excuses when it comes to obeying God, but like Gary stated, we do need to use discernment and prayerfully consider each situation. I just read about a Good Samaritan who was shot and killed at a store while trying to come to the aid of a woman being harassed by her boyfriend. I think tragedies like that are the exception though, and we shouldn’t let them deter us from reaching out to help someone in need. As for me, I have to be intentional about looking outside myself to see the needs around me lest selfishness rule the day. Opportunities to serve my friends, neighbors, community, and strangers I meet along the way abound. There’s a song by Brandon Heath that I love called ” Give Me Your Eyes”. That’s my daily prayer…that the Lord will give me His eyes to see the needs of people that I come in contact with and do what I can to help them. I may or may not be able to help in a significant way, but even small acts of kindness can make a big difference. For the most part, people just want to know that someone cares. Thanks, Jennifer, and may your burnt offerings be a sweet aroma to Him. 🙂
godlove on June 3, 2016 at 11:31 am
When I was much younger, back in my Sunday School days, I remember being taught the maxim: “God first, others second, me last”. I think this reflects what Jesus was trying to teach us, sharing with others even before thinking of ourselves. This is the same idea of Jesus second of the two most important commands: “Love your neighbour as yourself. Loving your neighbour as yourself, means exactly what it says, that we should be ready and willing to treat others, as though we were doing it for ourselves. I pray that God may help me to identify genuine needs in others, and use me to bless them.
jim spillane on June 3, 2016 at 11:52 am
Jennifer – in answer to your first question, I think that you are right in saying that we are to “reflect God’s compassionate heart” as believers and followers of Christ but we are also to be aware of how “He guides us.” We certainly see a lot of needs in the world, but we must examine ourselves to see if we are actually in a position to help, do we have the ability to help, do we have the means to help, are we taking any unnecessary risks in helping, etc. “Jesus answered and said to them, ‘The man who has two tunics is to share with him who as none; and he who has food is to do likewise.'” Luke 3:11. In these two cases, I feel that Christ is making the point that if you are able, then yes, you most certainly should help. We need to carefully examine each needful opportunity and follow the guiding of the Holy Spirit. In relation to James 4:17, if we decide to go against the Spirit’s guiding, then, I think, we have committed a sin. Am I on the right track with this?
hsnpoor on June 4, 2016 at 1:47 am
I am and have been aware of people who express needs but who I have personally witnessed taking care of a want and then turning around and begging for a need to be met. I don’t feel I have any responsibility to meet that kind of “expressed” need. I have, in fact, told the person to return a frivolous purchase and use the refund to meet their true need, rather than looking for others to do so. On the other hand, I’m a pretty soft touch for help when I have opportunity to help someone who is in a predicament from which I’ve been delivered or struggled through.