Should I Help?

These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they don’t tell the truth. To them religion is just a way to get rich. 1 Timothy 6:5

People are capable of anything in an effort to gain an advantage in life.

Early in my ministry, I was visiting a man in the hospital who had recently had surgery. As I walked into the hospital with my Bible under my arm, I was stopped by a mom and her twenty-year-old son.

“Are you a pastor?” she asked. I guess the Bible gave me away.

After I said yes, she asked, “Can you help us?”

“I have to go visit someone upstairs, but if you are still here when I come back, we can talk.”

I went upstairs and took care of my visit, and of course they were still waiting for me when I got back. They asked me if I was going to church that evening and if they could ride along. I naively agreed to take them.

On the way to church they told me, “We have been doing this for about a year. We take the bus to the next town and then walk to the nearest hospital. We wait there until we meet a pastor to see if we can get some help. Do you think you can help us with a place to stay and some food?”

I was floored at their confession. When we arrived at church, I asked our business manager what I should do. He met with the mother and son and offered to get them to the local rescue mission but told them we would not be willing do anything else for them. They got upset, told us we were not doing God’s will, and left the church on foot.

Unfortunately, there are many people who “work the system” just like those two. Those of us who are sincerely following Jesus need to be wise as we seek to help others.

Jesus, help me show compassion wisely.