He answered, “The one who showed compassion and mercy to him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and constantly do the same.” Luke 10:37
“We may read this passage and think only of the “high cost of caring,” but it is far more costly not to care. The priest and the Levite lost far more by their neglect than the Samaritan did by his concern. They lost the opportunity to become better men and good stewards of what God had given them. They could have been a good influence in a bad world, but they chose to be a bad influence. The Samaritan’s one deed of mercy has inspired sacrificial ministry all over the world.
Never say that such ministry is wasted. God sees to it that no act of loving service in Christ’s name is ever lost. It depends on your outlook. To the thieves, this traveling Jew was a victim to exploit, so they attacked him. To the priest and Levite, he was a nuisance to avoid, so they ignored him. But to the Samaritan, he was a neighbor to love and help, so he took care of him. What Jesus said to the lawyer, He says to us. “God and keep on doing it likewise” (literal translation).”
Warren W. Wiersbe in Be Compassionate (Luke 1-13): Let the World Know That Jesus Cares (The BE Series Commentary; Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 1988) 138.
This powerful exposition reminds me afresh that crisis situatons are opportunities for us to grow as stewards. But it all depends on our outlook.
If I see them as opportunities, I will go and keep on doing it likewise. If I see them as nuisances, I will go and keep on avoiding such situations.
The highest cost of caring is not to care. The worst possible influence is not to love and help. The time for us to act is now. But that depends on our outlook.
What will your outlook be?