My Brother’s Keeper: A Servant’s Heart
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No Boundaries
As we reflect upon (Matthew 5:43-45 & 48) I believe what becomes most apparent to many of us is that this isn’t something that will be easily done. How do we love our enemies? How do we bless those who curse us, and be good to those who hate us? Just tell me how do we find in our hearts to pray for those who spitefully use and persecute us?
To get a better understanding of what was being asked of us I looked up the words spiteful and persecute. And what I read sobered me even more to the charge that God gives us as His people. When someone does something spiteful against you there intent is to deliberately harm you, and when it graduates to persecution it is a persistent and continuous act of aggression to cause you distress. Now that’s tough, but God expects it of us if we are to be called His children.
Let’s look at Jesus’ parable of the Samaritan in (Luke 10:25-37). You often hear of this parable as the “Good Samaritan.” Now Jesus doesn’t speak of him as being good, but He does speak of his compassion.
This parable begins with a crime being committed against a traveler from Jerusalem on his way to Jericho. Note the two persons Jesus speaks of before He speaks of the Samaritan. A priest and a Levite (the assigned priesthood family of God); neither of them showing any concern or care for the wounded man. Now of all people, you would expect those who are called to be the oracles and representatives of God to show an interest in caring for someone in need. But they didn’t. Does this resemble someone we may know? Before we answer, let us take a close look in the mirror.
So here comes the Samaritan, and Jesus says that when he saw him he had compassion on him. Did not cross the road to avoid him, did not disregard his need for help, no Jesus says he went to the injured man, which gives us the impression that the Samaritan purposely stopped to help the man. And then he not only had compassion for the wounded man, he showed compassion for him.
One of the first things I want to note is as Jesus expresses what the Samaritan did it seems to suggest that he would have done this for anyone. It didn’t matter what nationality he was, whether he was rich or poor, or the color of his skin, all that seemed to matter was that he needed help. So what I’m saying is that if we are to become the guardians God calls us to be we must first learn not to regard anyone above another. God regards everyone and so should we.
I don’t care how much some may try to twist God’s word to express Him showing more favor for those who are saved than for those who are not. I know a God that has “no respect of persons,” but hung on the cross that “all might be saved” because of His love for all mankind (John 3:16-17). That’s the God I know, and according to His word that’s the God He will be until His final judgment of mankind when He opens the Lamb’s Book of Life. If you can only help those who you feel merits your help, I assure you it’s unlikely that you have the heart to consistently help anyone, whether they’re inside the Body of Christ or not.
You see we as human beings are notorious for establishing boundaries when it comes to helping someone, and it most often stems from an unwillingness to do so. We’d be amazed at how often people fail to help someone simply because they don’t want to take the time. We have the resources and means and even can rearrange our time to be of help, but we just don’t want to take the time to do it. And not taking time to do it is nothing more than a substitute for not wanting to do it. How sad?
However the Samaritan interrupted his journey to stop and tend to a stranger’s needs, and then took the man along with him to continue caring for him as well as making provisions for his continued care. Note he attended to the wounded man as long as he was with him, and when he had to leave he made arrangements for his care until his return. Did you get that? The Samaritan committed himself to being responsible for the wounded stranger’s care, whether it was with his time, money, or his word.
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About the Book
Though the qualities that qualify a leader can be numerous, there is one quality if lacking would certainly disqualify one as a true leader. And that is a sincere desire to serve. This service can come in many ways but most importantly it is having a genuine concern for people.
It’s very tempting as a leader to fall victim to self-gratification with all the superficial accolades and tributes given to leaders. But true leadership involves unselfishly caring for people. Taking on the responsibility of enhancing someone’s welfare is a high calling indeed and should not be taken lightly.
Whatever area of leadership you may find yourself in, if you don’t possess a sincere concern for others and those around you, you’re failing as a leader. True leaders not only want what’s best for their followers but anyone in need.
We’re all cultivators in God’s vineyard which spans far beyond the walls of a church building. But reaches wherever there is a need to minister to lost and troubled souls.
“My Brother’s Keeper” is dedicated to providing Godly principles for becoming a better leader and understanding that one main qualification for becoming an effective leader is to have a “Servant’s Heart”.
About the Author
Tariek is a licensed and ordained minister and considers himself to be a vineyard shepherd. In his thirty-five years of salvation he has served as a Sunday School Teacher, Church Youth Director, Director of Ministry to the Illinois Department of Corrections Juvenile Division, and Pastor. He has also served in ministries involving the homeless, Seniors at Nursing Homes, Adult Correctional facilities, and numerous Street Ministries to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In his book he speaks on “Servanthood as a call and avenue to glorify God”, supporting his personal passion and belief with God’s Word.