Real Kindness

Luke 10:30–37

A man was walking toward Jericho when thieves jumped out and grabbed him. They took everything he had and left him on the road.

When the man woke up, he hurt all over. What am I going to do? he wondered. When he heard footsteps, he struggled to look up. Thank goodness; it’s a priest. He will help me.

But the priest said with disgust, “Why is this man lying in my way?” Then he crossed the road and kept going.

The sun beat down on the man. I’m so hot and thirsty. I wonder if anyone will ever help me. He was about to give up hope when he heard footsteps again. A temple worker leaned over him. “You’re beaten up pretty badly,” he said. “You need help, but I don’t have time.” And he kept on walking.

The man had been lying on the road all day. I guess no one is going to help me, he thought. Then he heard footsteps again. A hand lifted his head and gently poured a few drops of water into his mouth. It’s a Samaritan, one of our enemies, he thought.

The Samaritan cleaned his cuts and put bandages on them. Then the Samaritan paid an innkeeper to take care of him. The man didn’t have to worry now. He was going to be all right.

Becoming a Man of God

A man of God doesn’t play favorites.

The priest and temple worker in this story didn’t show the love of God to the hurt man. Showing God’s love means being kind and helpful to all people—not just those who are like us or who we feel might be important people.

Do you know people who are different from you? Perhaps their skin is a different color or they speak a different language. Do you treat these people differently than you treat your friends?

A Verse to Remember

Live in love as Christ also loved us. He gave his life for us as an offering and sacrifice, a soothing aroma to God.

Ephesians 5:2