"Excuse me", the man said..."I need help". And then he proceeded to relate his current situation to the guy working. According to the man, he had been involved in a domestic situation, having caught his wife in bed with his boss. He claimed to never have laid a hand on either one, saying he simply walked out and away. Then he got fired from his job, because, after all, it had been his boss. When he tried to withdraw money from their bank account several days later, it was bone dry...she had cleaned it out. His cell phone, the bill having been in her name, was likewise cut off, so he could not communicate with a daughter who lived approximately 40-50 miles away. He was hoping he would be accepted there because they had had a broken relationship and it hadn't been healed yet. It was a pig in the poke if she would take him in or help him. He had been limited to the amount of cash he had in his pocket, which had since run out. On the day in question he had gone to court as directed, and after court was making his way to his daughters, avoiding toll roads because he had no money. His gas low level light started blinking a mile away from the church. It was there where he hailed a jogger to inquire how close a gas station might be and was told it would be a few miles....probably past the point of his limited reserve. So he stopped at the church to ask for help, explaining that he hadn't eaten in over a day, nor had the dog he had with him.
What if something like this happened to you (you being the man volunteering work at the church)?
- Would you give the man some gas money and send him on his way?
- Would you feed the man, or purchase some food for him?
- Would you even believe his story?
- What would be the tipping point in determining if he was being truthful or was just a scammer?
- Would you kindly and gently speak of any spiritual matters with him during any conversation?
The worker took the man and his dog along with him to the nearby ATM where his suspicions were confirmed....there was but less than $10.00 in available funds in his account. So he called his wife to inquire if she had any cash. She did..$25.00. So he took the guy and the dog to his house, made him a couple of sandwiches, a banana, a cup of coffee, and a cold bottle of water, and dog food for the pooch. He also called and got information on a large local church that has a care center amply equipped to handle these unique situations, and gave the man directions to that church so that he could find any available resources that would work for him (lodging, cleaning, food, and perhaps a day job situation so he could earn some money). When they got back to the church where they mans car was parked, he was told where the nearest gas station was and reminded to check in at the larger church for assistance. The worker shared that many of us have been busted at times, and all of us have brokenness, and stressed that we are all God's children and He loves us no matter what.
Here are some thoughts that went through the mind of the worker who helped:
"I would much rather know that I probably helped a hurting person, than to have thought of him as a scammer and not done anything. Had I done nothing but say I was sorry for his troubles and sent him on his way, I would always carry a nagging sense that I may have made a wrong decision."
Being a good Samaritan can take you out of your comfort zone....as it is supposed to do. Being a good Samaritan is far more beneficial to yourself than to the person receiving the help. Being a good Samaritan means you have made a decision to get out of yourself.
What if any of us found ourselves in unfortunate circumstances like the man above?
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