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Serving
the "half dead."
Jesus often mentions that we cannot obtain rewards from both God and man.
The world knows about helping someone who is able to return a valuable favor. But we should look for ways of helping people who cannot return a favor, not even the favor of providing for us the testimony of having done the deed.
"For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?" Matthew 5:46.
"Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven." Matthew 6:1.
Also look at Matthew 6:2, 6:5, and 6:16.
While there is nothing wrong with helping those who may be able to help us in return, the issue is our motive. While there is nothing wrong with testifying about the work of the Lord in our lives, the issue is our motives.
Jesus inferred that the "half dead" were included among our neighbors.
"Then Jesus answered and said: 'A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.'" Luke 10:30.
"But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion." Luke 10:33.
I want rewards! But the rewards I want are from God, the Creator.
In Matthew 25 Jesus encourages us to be kind to the hungry, the thirsty, the naked and those in prison. There are people living and working next to us everyday that have hidden prisons, nakedness, thirst and hunger.
Let us seek out the "half dead." Let us seek out those who may be surprised if we would bless them. Let us catch them off guard with our kindness and attention. People need to be encouraged and lifted up.
Larry Chkoreff - October, 2000