Day 10 | Philanthropic in Cause
Help A Stranger
“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.” Luke 10:34
We are never more like Christ than when we help a stranger who is in trouble. An authentic man has compassion on those who are hurting. Jesus taught the parable of the Good Samaritan. This story has motivated countless people to do good to strangers.
One day, I noticed a man standing on the side of the road with a sign that read, “Homeless, please help. God bless.” I am ashamed to say that my initial thoughts were very judgmental. Then I felt prompted to think, “Neil, that is someone’s son.” I was immediately moved to do something. I reached for my money clip when I saw that all I had was a $20 bill. I paused for a second thinking, “Man, I don’t have anything smaller?” The light turned green and I had to go, so I rolled down the window and handed him the money. I spent the next few minutes praying for him.
That experience challenged me to think of strangers as neighbors.
TODAY’S CHALLENGE
Before you go to bed tonight look for a complete stranger that you can help with a small gesture of money.
Today, I am in Chiapas, Mexico with the President of Latin America Child Care looking at a project to build a school for impoverished children. http://www.lacc4hope.org
Day 10 I didn’t meet a need, but the next day I saw a disheveled woman at a junction of two highways needing money and gave her all my cash. Just cause you didn’t complete your action step on the day of challenge doesn’t mean you can’t still meet the challenge. If you are behind on an action step, don’t get down, get caught up:).
As a police officer, I have no problem with bringing food or help to those asking or in need but I had an attitude of judgment for folks that ask for money as in “pan handling”, I always said to myself they just want it for alcohol or drugs. Then the Lord spoke to me through a friend, he said “God tells you to give money, you obey and you give, what they do with it is on them. God’s interested in your obedience not your opinion.” There are days I still struggle with this. Thank you Lord for your grace.
It must be hard for the needy people in theese Covid 19 times. At least I can pray
I paid extra for someone’s work that is semi-retired. It wasn’t much, but hopefully it brightened his day. I like to look for ways to implement this and hopefully can do more of it.