Your Neighbor Needs What You Have
Boundaries – Part 1

Scripture Reading:  Luke 10:36-42

Key Verse:  Luke 10:35

The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

I am hoping that our study of the Good Samaritan story will challenge us all to be praying, open, sensitive and willing to fulfill any divine appointment God may have for each of us.  You and I will come upon a situation when we feel God nudge us to help a hurting person.  They will become our “neighbor” and we put our love into action!

However, there are a few cautions embedded in Jesus’ story.  I find it interesting that Jesus said the Good Samaritan did continue on his way.  He did not cancel his business trip.  He showed mercy and planned to follow up upon his return, but he did continue on with his life.  When we start helping people, we will need to be careful not to feel guilty when we draw boundaries.  There will be a point and time to say no.  We are not to do everything for hurting people.  If we are not careful we can cross the lines to becoming enablers rather than mercy givers.

The challenge to drawing boundaries is where to draw them; when is enough enough?  This is where a deep reliance on God’s Holy Spirit is needed.  God wants our love for Him to grow into a mature knowledge which in turn gives us the ability to discern that which is best (Philippians 1:9).  As I said in earlier devotionals, getting involved with hurting people is messy business!  We need discernment!  (Continued)

Father, grant me a divine discernment as I make decisions on how much to help hurting people.  I ask this in Jesus’ name, amen.