When we were little my family pulled into a parking lot and a car caught my brother’s attention. He said, “That’s my favorite color!” It was a Ford Pinto covered in rust.
Some would say that my brother was wisely appreciating the patina of an eco-friendly American classic. Growing up we were taught to see value in what others consider to be trash. Through his unique perspective, Matt took recognizing the value of the rusty Pinto to a whole new level.
There are lots of people in need. Most humans want to help others and I do think that God is pleased when we do so. So why is it so hard? When we see the “need” in our world we tend to think too much, become overwhelmed, and most often pass right by the opportunity.
In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus shows us the way to help someone in need. While others pass by this guy, the Samaritan goes above and beyond to help him. It’s assumed that he really wants to do this by the investment he is willing to make. We can’t be all things for all people (insert “overwhelmed” here) but we don’t have to because it’s not just about helping someone. It’s about recognizing their value. When we truly see the value of another person, the “overwhelming” fades into the background because our attention is toward the priceless potential.
“The next day, he took two full days’ worth of wages and gave them to the innkeeper. He said, ‘Take care of him, and when I return, I will pay you back for any additional costs.’”
Luke 10:35 CEB
