The Samaritan Cipher

- Sermon –

The story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) contains several important messages for those who would follow the Savior’s admonition to care for the poor and needy.  However, providing such care “in the Lord’s way” according to correct principles is not always simple, nor properly understood and applied.   The Lord’s way is not man’s way – His view of the poor and needy is not complicated by politics, social class, or theories of economics, but is a code that can be deciphered only by a greater understanding of gospel principles.

1.      I can always be a “Good Samaritan.” 

A gift or “blessing” can always be bestowed that responds to another’s need.  However, the gift or blessing, in the form of help or assistance may not necessarily respond to another person’s wants or expectations.  Example: New Testament | Acts 3:6 Upon being asked for assistance, Peter said, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”  Such may be the case when we are asked to give material aid, but because of our perspective or discernment in that moment, we see that counsel or some other type of help would be more productive or is needed rather than cash or material assistance.  So it may be when, as a parent, or teacher, or friend, or leader, we reach within ourselves and give what is needed rather than what is wanted. 

                                                              

Lesson to be learned: I can always bestow a gift or blessing of assistance to the person in front of me who is requesting help. In ministering to another I need never say "No," I can always say “Yes! Such as I have, give I unto thee.”

2. Good Samaritans bless others, but blessings bestowed are almost always self-selected by the receiver.

Even though a gift or blessing of some type of help or assistance can be bestowed, it may not be received.   A kind word, counsel, advice, material help, or even cash may not be well-received or appreciated because these things do not measure up to the recipient’s wants or expectations.  The Lord described it this way.  Referring to how we essentially self-select the blessings of the gospel, and ultimately the kingdom that we are willing to receive, the Doctrine and Covenants, Section 88:32 – 33 says “And they who remain shall also be quickened; nevertheless, they shall return again to their own place, to enjoy that which they are willing to receive, because they were not willing to enjoy that which they might have received.  For what doth it profit a man if a gift (perhaps counsel or material assistance of some type) is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift?  Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift.”  Neither Samaritans nor their gifts are always well received or respected. 

Lesson to be learned: Receivers, not givers, determine what is received. When giving, I should be principled, prudent, and patient.  When receiving, I should be humble, gracious and qualify and prepare myself for the gifts I receive.

3. Givers become receivers and receivers become givers.

There is a place, a time, and a season for all good and necessary things. The gospel of Jesus Christ encourages generous giving and gracious receiving as divine attributes. There are seasons wherein I must learn about giving --- in all of its many forms.  There are other times wherein I must learn about receiving --- in all of its many forms.  The seasons themselves, and the objects of my giving and receiving are sometimes not of my choosing. For example, there are times when I visit and minister to the sick or grieved.  There are also times when I am sick or grieved and will receive the ministry of others. Giving and receiving “in the Lord’s way” are both divine attributes – each to be experienced and learned in time and eternity.

 

Lesson to be learned: Often, God chooses how and by whom I will be blessed, and who I need to bless. He will often cause our paths to intersect. In those moments I may be either a giver or receiver, but “in the Lord’s way” I actually  become both.  Question:  Am I ready in either case? 

4.    The Lord asks, “Are we not all beggars?”   Within each of us are elements of poverty and need – but they are not the same and are not addressed the same.  The ministry to each is different.   Understanding the difference – makes a difference.

There is a type of poverty within each of us that can be persistent and debilitating.  This kind derives from a poverty of knowledge, understanding or beliefs and attitudes more than a deficit of money or material things, or devastating circumstances caused by nature. Such a disposition leads to a poverty of emotion and a poverty of action.  We are thus held prisoner by what we don’t know or what we don’t feel capable of doing.  These poor habits of thinking, feeling, or doing may be acquired along life’s way, or inherited from previous generations.  For example, in today’s world those of the rising generation who do not value education may find a poverty of opportunity available to them in the world of employment. Those who have not learned to value principles of good health and nutrition may reap the consequences of debilitating disease and poor health. We are thus blessed or cursed by our beliefs, our passions, and our actions. It is in overcoming this poverty that we break the bonds of being poor in this sense, and become “Saviors on Mount Zion” to ourselves and future generations.

There is another kind of poverty that is related to temporary or transient need.  Not overly burdened with too many poor habits of thinking, feeling, and doing, the needy temporarily lack resources perhaps of money, productive work, health, or other assets brought about by unemployment or under-employment, an illness, economic downturns, or other unplanned disruptions.  "Inner resources" are generally sufficient. "Outer resources" are those that are lacking. Hence, the poverty of need, when properly addressed, need not be long-term nor permanently debilitating. 

As we explore both kinds of poverty – the poverty of the poor and the poverty of the needy – we see that both elements are present within us, within others, and even within nations and cultures.  We are all both poor and needy whether induced by man or nature.  Hence, the Savior’s persistent insistence on ministering to the poor and the needy as one of our basic requirements in life and as part of one’s covenant obligations. 

Lesson to be learned: The oft repeated command to care for the poor and needy and minister relief leads down two related, but different roads - not one.  The one road out of poverty leads to acquiring new knowledge, attitudes, skills, abilities, increased self-worth and self-reliance.   The other road out of being needy is taken by acquiring or restoring assets and resources and increasing productive capacity - all done without creating dependency.  

In either case such a ministry is truly “the healer’s art.”