Good Samaritan

When I left the grocery store on a hot summer day with two cloth "green bags" that I reuse when I shop, I was approached by a young woman. It looked as though she was waiting by my car and perhaps looking in for something. She said, "excuse me, I wonder if you could help me?" And with a vulnerable sound in her voice, I listened as she explained her troubles. I started to feel vulnerable as I remembered that my next door neighbor had her purse stolen in this very same parking lot. I started to tune her out instead of asking how I could help. Her story was flimsy. Car trouble, using all their money for repairs, on their way to another state. Crap! Was I the Levi or the Samaritan? I chose not to believe her when she asked for any spare money had. I said, " Sorry, I don't have any left." And as I got in my car, I watched her go to a van with a man sitting inside. I did not feel good. Did they need me and I refused? Would they take advantage of someone else if I just left. Then of course the next day is the sermon about the parable Jesus told when asked, "Who is our neighbor?" How often do we help others when there is a risk to our own safety? How often do we help only to be duped by some mooch or thief? The sermon was focused on Us being the victim in need of help. There is always help to be had is we ask and trust. Our opportunities to help others are myriad. Unfortunately, giving aid can be dangerous and hurtful. People will demand more of you each time you offer assistance. We want to make our own decisions and be in control of our disbursements. While the vultures are waiting as well as the vulnerable needy, we have to sort through the applications and requests to figure out sometimes in a moment's notice, who will receive our benevolence. I would love to be the person who can give something to everyone who has a need. We are bombarded with requests from charity and research and must choose which are important to us. The Good Samaritan took a risk. We are to be like him, but what is the rest of the story. Was he later beaten and taken advantage of, or kept under a protective shield? Did his children fight over he possessions while he was left alone and aging under a strangers care, or did he give everything away to those less fortunate? Did the Samaritan support the "neighbor" for the rest of his life? Was the poor man grateful to be rescued by an enemy from a heathen country? We can help until it hurts and we are at risk, but we should not be foolish.