That created lots of conflict in my junior high mind when we studied the famous parable about not walking around the injured man along the road to Jericho. Can we really apply the story of the Good Samaritan in the 21st century?

And what do we do with Jesus' stern pronouncements concerning Judgment Day. Those on the left of the throne will say:

"Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?"

He will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me."

Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.

On the one hand, Jesus does separate the heaven-bound "sheep" and the hell-bound "goats" by how they responded to social needs. He does teach us to love our neighbor as ourselves with the story of the Good Samaritan. And Matthew 10:39 records, "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

However, Jesus' parable of the "Wise and Foolish Virgins" seems to teach that each is responsible for him and herself. If your neighbor runs out of oil, don't give them any of yours. And then there's the mysterious advice, "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces" (Matthew 7:6).

Calling yourself a Christian is simple enough, but trying to authentically live out Christ's teachings can get complex! In today's society, is stopping to assist a bloodied man beside the road violating the command, "Do not put the Lord your God to the test" (Matthew 4:7)?

I don't want to be judged as a "goat," but I don't want to be a slaughtered "sheep" either!

This issue probably provides as many questions as answers, but here are a few more that may help clarify our responsibilities as lovers of God and our neighbors.

1. Is there a genuine need?

At least once a week during our first year at a rural church, someone was knocking on our door needing money for gas or food. Since there was a local convenience store in town, the church set up an account at the store for gasoline and food items. The owner agreed that "A Tank of Gas and a Gallon of Milk" along with one of our signatures written on the back of a church business card meant the bearer could have those items placed on our account.

So we would write out the stranger's request on the back of a card and send them on their way with God's blessing. Strangely, only about half of those cards were ever turned in at Cartwright's Convenience Store. And, after about a year, the number of people running out of gas in front of the parsonage dropped to near zero.

The local churches in our area have set up a central "clearing house" for all requests for gas, food, rent and utility money, etc. Any request must go through the "Common Grace Center" which can evaluate whether it is a genuine need and act accordingly. And the "professionals" who routinely make their rounds around the circuit are out of a job.

2. Is it a need I can meet?

If you're stranded along the Interstate, you don't want my mechanical help. I recently had to have an entire engine replaced because I forgot to ever change the oil. And you probably don't want me calling on you in the hospital. Early in my ministry, I would visit heart patients and then have chest pains the rest of the day. If you were passing a kidney, I felt your pain. And I especially hated visiting the maternity ward!

But if you have an article with a weak lead, passive verbs, or poor organization, I'm your man. And if I see you stranded along side the road, I can use my cell phone to call help for you. But other than the phone call, I'll be of no help whatsoever in getting your car back on the road.

3. Is there a way to minimize the risks?

When I was a teen volunteer at a youth "Hot Line For Help" service, a suicide call came in. Since we were often dealing with drug addictions, child abuse, and serious problems, we were to use only our middle names, and never, ever offer to meet with a caller. But we were also trained to do whatever we had to do to save a life. "Debbie" said she would kill herself if I didn't meet her, so I arranged to meet at a nearby Burger King, but not until I had called my mother and another counselor to "stake out" our meeting from a booth across the restaurant.

Debbie thought we were alone, began to flirt, and then said she needed a ride home. My mother nonchalantly walked up, offered to ride along--between Debbie and me in the front seat of my compact car. I dropped her off and thought that was the end of that. The next morning she called saying she was pregnant, that I was the father, and that she was filing a paternity suit.

"That's interesting," I said, "because my mother and another counselor watched the whole time we were at Burger King and then my mother sat between the whole way home." The phone clicked, and I never heard from her again.

But if I would not have taken precautions, I would be just another "fallen" minister on the front page of the paper and someone else would be writing this article.

Yes, take risks, but as a police officer friend says, "Trust God--and wear your bullet-proof vest."

To do any less, would be putting God to a foolish test.

4. Is there a better way to help?

As I mentioned, I'm not gifted for hospital calling, counseling, and funeral home visits. That's why my ministry is now primarily writing and speaking, while my ordained wife with degrees in psychology, sociology, and theology is in now in her eleventh year at our current church.

Most social problems--homelessness, addictions, joblessness--are complex and need to be addressed as a system of family, professional, and personal relationships. I marvel at my wife's ability to work with these kind of issues at a shelter where she serves part-time as a consultant and counselor. My response would, unfortunately, be "Wow, that's too bad. I'll add you to my prayer list."

In our rural area there are county trustees who can deal with rent and utility shortfalls, church food pantries, and low-income counseling centers. Just twenty miles away is a men's shelter, a women and children's shelter, a free medical and dental clinic, and credit counselors.

Sometimes, the most helpful thing we can do is refer people to those resources. And give them a ride there if necessary.

Part of the Matthew 25 mandate is not only to financially support these service agencies, but provide some perspiration as well. One of our family's best Christmas days was spent serving at a rescue mission. And a highlight for our youth group was a trip to a church-sponsored orphanage to clear brush for a new unwed mothers' home.

5. Is ministry to the hungry, thirsty, stranger, one needing clothes, sick, or imprisoned my responsibility?

Yes! Christ defines my "neighbor" as anyone I have the opportunity and ability to help. But, in so doing, He adds, "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves" (Matthew 10:16).

So, be a good Samaritan, but also be a wise Samaritan.

© 2000 James Watkins