When Jesus shared the story of the Good Samaritan, He was answering a legal expert’s question about the law that commanded them to love their neighbor (Lev. 19:18). Jesus wanted to make the point that the neighbors we are to love are not just the ones who are easy to love, but also those we may dislike.
There is more to discover here. Reflecting on the customs and culture of Jesus’ era, the story presents some very real examples of how the ancient world functioned. It was generally understood that travel was a dangerous proposition, as thieves would strike regularly and sometimes even disguise themselves as a victim of assault to catch someone off-guard.
We also find three distinct philosophies about money.
A Robber, A Priest, & A Samaritan
The first philosophy was that of the robber: What is yours is mine, and I'm going to get it. Today we may call that looking out for number one, with number one being the person who believes they have a right to take someone else’s treasure for their own.
The second philosophy was that of the priest and the Levite: What is mine is mine, and I'm going to keep it. These individuals keep a tight reign on their purse strings and have little compassion for others in need. While they have no interest in taking from others, they are not about to take the time to see if someone else is truly in need. After all, it could be a con. They distrust panhandlers and simply move to the other side of the road, never making eye contact.
The third philosophy was that of the Samaritan. What is mine is yours, and I'm willing to share it. Here we have an example of someone who truly understands generosity. He did not plan on meeting the victim, but when he did, he responded generously.
And there may be another unsung hero--the Innkeeper! He opened his inn and promised to care for the victim. He had no way of knowing that the Samaritan would return to cover additional expenses. One responded with cash, the other with his home!
Have you adopted one of these three philosophies? Philosophy one leads to little or no giving – think Scrooge before the visits of the three spirits.
Philosophy two can lead to joyless giving, done only to fulfill a promise, gain a tax deduction, or just make a problem go away.
Philosophy three recognizes God as owner of all -- we are stewards, caretakers, trustees of the resources. Generosity is done with a joyful heart and desire to honor God and help others.
When the lawyer realized the truth about neighbors, Jesus commanded him to "Go and do likewise." (Luke 10:37) His challenge remains for us to fulfill.