Jump Start # 3471

Luke 10:35 “And on the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return, I will repay you.’”

Our verse today comes from the parable of the good Samaritan. Jesus used this story to illustrate and define the concept of a neighbor. The winding, twisting road that descends from Jerusalem to Jericho, was the perfect place for dangerous marauders to rob lone travelers. The victim in this story was more than robbed, he was beaten and left “half dead,” the text tells us. We are not told if the man was Jewish, but his hero and savior that day was not. He was a foreigner. He was Samaritan.

The likely ones to help, a priest and a Levite, did not. In fact, they did nothing. They pass on the other side and nothing more is said about them. Did they tell anyone once they were safely in town? Did they reach out to the first century 911?

The Samaritan did more than just help the man up. He bandaged him, and it seems that he stayed the night watching him. As he left the next day, he paid the inn keeper and left him with a promise that he would cover any additional expenses. He didn’t have to do that. He wasn’t responsible. He had a heart and that heart was generous.

Now, tucked in our verse today is a thought that we need to think about today. The Samaritan had the funds to help out the injured man. This was something he hadn’t planned. This wasn’t in his budget. The average credit card debt in America is $7,900. At least 47% of Americans could not come up with $500 if there was an emergency. That translates to having to go deeper into debt to cover the emergency.

Times are tough and things are costing a lot these days. However, a modern Samaritan could not help the injured man because he wouldn’t have any money. Likely, he whip out his credit card and just go deeper and deeper into debt.

So, here are some end of the year thoughts for us about finances:

First, average in America isn’t the standard to go by. Most face retirement with great financial fears. There is a great concern that they will run out of money some day. And, if we just keep up with everyone else, we are not really keeping up.

Second, we need to get to a place where we can help others out. Paul’s words to Timothy places the responsibility of helping parents first and foremost on grown children. However, from the stats today, that won’t happen. So, we need to understand that simply contributing on Sunday doesn’t fulfill my responsibilities to helping others. There are things that ought to come out of my pocket and not from the church. To be able to do that, one must be able.

Third, it’s not advanced math to understand that you cannot spend more than you make. Congress does this, but we are not Congress. A detailed budget will keep you in your proper lane. The holidays can wreck you if you don’t have a budget. About 22% are still paying for last year’s Christmas. That’s nearly 1 in 4 people. Here we are at this year’s Christmas and last year’s hasn’t been paid for. Now throw in a vacation or two and you see the mess people get into. Vacations are so much sweeter when they are paid for before you ever leave your house.

Budgeting is the key. Stick to it like Scriptures. When you have a little left over at the end of the month, toss that into savings to build up your emergency fund. Don’t touch it unless it is truly an emergency. Going out to eat is not an emergency. If your work provides a matching 401, that’s free money. Invest to the max that they will let you. And, don’t ever touch it. Learning to get by on less and being content will help you write that budget each month.

Throughout the year there are always occasions to help others. Some have large medical bills. Some are raising money to adopt a child. There are needs overseas among our brethren. The Samaritan had the funds to help the injured man.

Sure is something for us to think about in this season of giving. Generous is our God and generous ought to be His people. Make some financial goals for the new year. Sit down together and work on a budget. Spontaneous shopping and unexpected expenses crush our financial goals. Be wise with your money. Be more than a steward, but a GREAT STEWARD.

Who would have thought back then, the heart of a Samaritan was more like God than that of the heartless Pharisees. Wonder what kind of heart we have? Sure is something to think about and make adjustments.

Roger

Jump Start # 1394

Luke 10:35 “On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.”

  Our passage today comes from the wonderful story we know as the good Samaritan. This was a parable that Jesus used to answer a lawyer who was a bit too full of himself and truly didn’t have the heart that he should have had.

The parable is rich with lessons. There is the man who is minding his own business and traveling alone. Then there are the thieves that no only rob the man, but beat him and leave him for dead. Then there is the priest and the Levite who ignore the injured man. They may have had their reasons or their excuses, but they illustrated the high and mighty religious sect in Jesus’ day that was long on talk and short on doing. Too good for others, and too much pride in themselves. The hero of the day is a Samaritan, someone who would have been shunned, mocked and ignored by the established Jews. The Samaritan stopped and helped the injured. Had it been a Jew seeing an injured Samaritan, he would have walked on and ignored him.

Jesus uses this to story to show who is our neighbor. It is anyone that we can help. The Samaritan didn’t preach a sermon to the injured about the dangers of walking alone. He didn’t seem to ask him “the whys” this happened. He just stopped and he did what he could. The story ends with Jesus saying, “go and do thou likewise.” Go do this. Repeat this. Be this kind of person.

Our verse brings out two interesting thoughts for us.

First, “on the next day,” the text reads. The Samaritan took the injured man to the inn. We often think that he dropped him off and went on his way. Such a nice act. But according to the text, the Samaritan stayed with the injured man through the night. It was the “next day,” that he left. The plans of the Samaritan changed. He had to rearrange his schedule and what he was doing. Taking care of this injured man was now the most important thing. He didn’t just drop a few coins in the injured man’s hand and leave him with a promise that I hope you get better, “I’ll say a prayer for you.” No. He poured oil on his wounds, put him on the donkey, took him to the inn, and stayed with him through the night. The Samaritan poured himself into the care of that injured man. Not too busy to care for another. Not believing the idea that “I don’t want to get involved.” He did get involved. He made a difference.

Second, our verse tells us that the Samaritan paid two denarii, which is two days wages and left a promise to return and pay for any more expenses. Why? It wasn’t his problem? He showed compassion and love. The injured man didn’t have any money, he was robbed. Who would pay for these things? Why injure the man further with financial stress and burdens. He would take care of it.

Now, here is something that is interesting. In the 2014 “Survey of Household Economics and Decision making,” as reported in USA Today, 47%, nearly half of Americans, could not cover an emergency in their home costing $400. Nearly half of Americans could not come up with $400. The survey said that they would either have to sell something or borrow it, which means going into debt. The air conditioner goes out, the car breaks down, a medical emergency, and half of Americans couldn’t deal with the costs. It further implies that nearly half of Americans are not saving and are living paycheck to paycheck. This sad stat affects our passage today. Coming across a need, nearly half couldn’t do anything because they do not have the money to take care of their own emergencies. A modern Samaritan would have to leave the injured man because he wouldn’t have any money to leave at the inn.

Stewardship means not only taking care of ourselves and our families, but living in such a way that we can be God’s tools when opportunities arise. This financial statistic is troublesome. It would hinder some from doing hospitality, just don’t have the money. The Galatians 6:10, “as we have opportunity let us do good to all men, especially to the household of faith,” falls flat because there is no money to do good. It is all spent. I have known of far too many folks, preachers especially, who have passed away, having no life insurance and placing their families in a financial burden. Who will pay for the funeral? Who will now pay for the mortgage? This is not good stewardship. Life insurance isn’t that expensive.

I wonder if we walk on the other side of opportunities because we simply tell ourselves, “We don’t have any money.” Opportunities to help. Opportunities to let our lights shine. Opportunities to be the neighbor that Jesus wants us to. Opportunities missed because there is no money.

Congregations for years have steered clear of discussing money matters, thinking that such topics do not belong in Biblical discussions. Failing to see that Jesus talked more about money than He did Heaven, and failing to instruct others about our responsibilities to help others, a generation has grown that doesn’t understand money and Biblical principles. I earn it, I get to spend it, ALL, is the thinking of too many. Viewing credit cards as cash, instead of debt, living paycheck to paycheck affects contributions. It affects what happens down the road when a person no longer can work. What then? If I have less than $400 that I could use for an emergency, how will I live after I no longer can work? Go to the church for help? Are we crippling the good that can be done by not being good stewards today? How many Samaritans die on the road because there is no money to help or our purse strings are pulled too tight because we want to spend our money only on ourselves.

These are thoughts that need to be openly discussed. This not only affects today, but greatly affects tomorrow. Parents living paycheck to paycheck, piling up deep debt, are showing their children and the next generation, what to do. It will continue unless someone says “enough,” and starts becoming more responsible.

The Samaritan wasn’t just one who was a neighbor, compassionate, helpful, but he was one who had some money and shared it when there was a need.

Could you cover an emergency that cost $400? Would you have to use your credit card to do that? Have you given serious thought to your handling of money and Biblical principles? Maybe it’s time to have those discussions. Maybe it’s time to make some adjustments. Maybe it’s time…

Roger