Faith-Driven Impact Investor: What the Bible SaysSample

6. The Lesson of the Good Samaritan

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” ... Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” – Luke 10:36,37b NIV

A man was beaten, robbed, and left for dead.

The priest saw him and passed by.

The Levite saw him and passed by.

But the Samaritan – he stopped. He didn’t just offer a prayer. He gave – right then and there.

“He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day, he took out two denarii 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.’” – Luke 10:34–35 NIV

No hesitation. No control. No strings attached.

What if the Samaritan had thought like we often do today when we are confronted with someone in need:

“Is it even safe for me to stop to help?”

“I don’t want to create dependency.”

“There must be an organization through which I can help.”

“If I stop to help this person, what about the others I may meet? I surely can’t help them all.”

That’s not what Jesus praised. Jesus praised immediate, sacrificial generosity – giving that didn’t hold onto control.

If you meet a starving man on the side of the road – or more likely, if you are aware of a village half a world away so poor that they live on less than 50 cents a day while you have thousands – could you help them?

Could you give right now? Or would you first need to check the tax benefits, the track record of any organization you might work through, or who would actually receive the money and what they would use it for?

So many times, we get all tied up about being responsible – making sure we do the right thing, especially with any money God may have granted us – that we mirror the mindset of the Pharisees in today’s world. All focused on doing right, being godly, helping our church, our community, our nation stay on track with what God wants, but missing the point completely.

That’s what the world says: be careful, be wise, be strategic with your money. Protect your wealth. Give to maximize impact and minimize risk. The world even tells you that giving without some form of control is foolish.

But we’ve seen over and over again that Jesus teaches us to just give. Just do it. Don’t hang on. Don’t follow what the world teaches:

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” – Romans 12:2a NIV

As Christians in the West, we’ve convinced ourselves that holding on to wealth to give it wisely is the best way to serve God.

But Jesus never said that.

Jesus said: Give. Freely. Now.

“Freely you have received; freely give.” – Matthew 10:8b NIV

”Sell your possessions and give to the poor.” – Luke 12:33a NIV

Are you still waiting for the perfect way to give? Still holding on, making sure it’s done your way?

Or can you actually let go and trust God?

Jesus says yes, you can. You can be His disciple. The path may be narrow, but His yoke is easy. And through Christ, we can indeed do all things – including giving as Jesus instructs.

Go and do likewise – freely, generously, in faith.