Meeting The Needs Of Others
OPENING PRAYER:
Heavenly Father give us opportunities to show your love through us.
READ:
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3-4
“In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii[a] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:30-37
REFLECT:
In the Philippians verse above, we are told to do nothing out of selfish ambition but rather in humility be concerned about meeting the needs of others. We see needs almost every day we could meet, but it takes humility to put what we want in the moment to the side in order to meet the need. Have you ever seen someone broken down on the side of the road? Did you think, like I do every single time, “I should stop!” but maybe you keep going? Well, I feel a lot like the priest and Levite in the story of the Good Samaritan when I don’t stop. God commands us to share with others and to meet the needs of others.
APPLY:
Jack, my dad was a very resourceful man. He could fix anything. He often stopped on the side of the road and helped people who were stranded, he taught me to be humble in this way. My mother was also serving in a similar way, she was always up for inviting new people to have dinner with us at home. Often times, we never knew who would be sitting at our table when we came home! My parents were examples of these verses while growing up. Now, I look for opportunities to do the same for others. Let’s live like we are the Good Samaritan today, who can you reach out and help today? What need have you seen that you could meet?
CLOSING PRAYER:
Oh Lord, remind us that we have been instructed to live as your son, Jesus. Help us to step out in faith and serve someone that is need. Make us more like you every day, so that you will smile.