What Does It Cost to be a Good Samaritan?

The parable of the Good Samaritan, as recorded in Luke 10:25-37, is arguably Jesus’ most well-known parable. The parable tells us of a man who was wounded by some robbers and left for dead. A priest and a Levite passed by without helping. The Samaritan was the one who ultimately helped the wounded man. Jesus used this parable to remind us to be good neighbours to one another.

We all know the importance of being helpful and neighbourly like the Good Samaritan. However, it is often easier to pass by like the priest and the Levite. What does it cost to be a Good Samaritan?

1. Personal Grudges

Why did the priest and Levite pass by without helping? What a shame that they did not stop to help their fellow Jew. In contrast, the Samaritan helped. Historically, Jews and Samaritans were enemies and did not have good relations with each other (cf. John 4:9). Nevertheless, that did not prevent the Good Samaritan from helping the injured Jewish man. Jesus intentionally used the Samaritan’s example to prompt the listeners to think about who their neighbour was: our neighbour is not limited to our good friends, but it includes anyone who needs our help. God tells us, “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Luke 10:27).

We may help a good friend, but would you help an enemy? Would you help a stranger? To be a Good Samaritan, we need to put aside our personal animosity and help anyone who is in need. Jesus calls us to: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Can we look past the flaws and see the soul in need?

2. Personal Time

Why did the priest and Levite pass by without helping? Perhaps they thought they had important duties to attend to, and hence, could not spare a minute to help. In contrast, the Good Samaritan took the time to help. He took the time to check on the injured man. He took the time to tend to his wounds. He took the time to bring him to an inn so that he could be taken care of.  The Good Samaritan went the extra mile to help the injured man.

How much time can we spare for the needy? Sometimes, we have the heart to help, but it may feel inconvenient. As Christians, we must take heed not to fall into the trap of serving the Lord only when it’s “convenient.” God deserves our first devotion, and not our leftovers (Malachi 1:6-8). We all have only 24 hours a day. Can we spare some time to show love and care to those who need it? (Ephesians 5:16)

3. Personal Effort

Why did the priest and Levite pass by without helping? Perhaps the priest and the Levite loathed the effort required to do a detour. In contrast, the Good Samaritan made the effort to help. He made the effort to bind up his wounds, even pouring oil and wine. He made the effort to put him on his own animal, meaning that he himself had to walk. He made the effort to bring him to an inn to be taken care of. He even promised the innkeeper to return in the future to ensure all the debt was settled. The Good Samaritan surely went the third mile to help the injured man.

How far will we go to help someone who is needy? While it is important to pray for the afflicted, we ought to put our prayer into useful action too (James 2:14-17). God promises that we will reap everlasting rewards if we persist in doing good works and not give up (Galatians 6:7-10). Can we put our faith and love into action?

4. Personal Finances

Why did the priest and Levite pass by without helping? Perhaps they did not want to risk putting themselves into a position where they had to fork out money for someone else. In contrast, the Good Samaritan was willing to spend for the injured man. He used his personal supplies to tend to the man’s wounds. He paid the innkeeper for the man’s needs. He even promised to return to pay any outstanding fees. The Good Samaritan went the fourth mile to help the injured man.

How much are we willing to spend to help others? It is often said, “Money not enough.” Unfortunately, money is often not enough because we spend too much on our own selfish desires (Ecclesiastes 5:10-11; 1 Timothy 6:10). God reminds those who are financially blessed to be ready to do good works, to share with others, and to help the needy (1 Timothy 6:17-18). By sharing with others, we are storing up for ourselves the true treasures that last for eternity (1 Timothy 6:19; Matthew 6:19-20). Are we ready to use our money to do the work of the Lord?

5. Personal Compassion

Why did the priest and Levite pass by without helping? We may offer various reasons, but the root cause is obviously this: they had no compassion. In contrast, we are told that the Good Samaritan “had compassion,” and his compassion was backed his actions. By his compassion, he demonstrated that he was the injured man’s true neighbour (Luke 10:36-37).

Do we have compassion on the needy? It is crucial for us to have love and compassion because it demonstrates that we are truly children of God (1 John 4:9; John 13:34-35). It is crucial for us to show love and compassion because it demonstrates that God’s love abides in us (1 John 3:16-17). Furthermore, it is crucial for us to demonstrate our love and compassion by our action (1 John 3:18). Will we show Christian love and compassion towards one another?

Concluding Remarks

The parable of the Good Samaritan shows us what it truly means to be a neighbour towards others. Let us imitate the example of the Good Samaritan. Let us put away the excuses. Let us demonstrate Christian love and compassion to one another.