What the Bible Says About Relationships and Money
Week of September 25, 2005
This Week’s Scripture Reading
Luke 10:25-37
“One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: ‘Teacher, what must I do to receive eternal life?’ Jesus replied, ‘What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?’ The man answered, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ‘Right!’ Jesus told him. ‘Do this and you will live!’ The man wanted to justify his actions so he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’
“Jesus replied with an illustration: ‘A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes and money, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. By chance a Jewish priest came along; but when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt deep pits. Kneeling beside him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with medicine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two pieces of silver and told him to take care of the man. ‘If the bill runs higher than that,’ he said, ‘I’ll pay the difference the next time I am here.’
‘Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?’ Jesus asked. The man replied, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Then Jesus said, ‘Yes, now go and do the same.’”
Prayers for the Week:
Sunday |
Almighty God, I commit my heart, my mind, my soul, my strength, and even my life to You. Everything that I am, I give to You. May I love you with every part of my being. Help me to be devoted to You in all things. In Jesus’ name . . . Amen. |
Monday |
Heavenly Father, Just as You have loved me, so I ask that You would help me to love others. I admit that I have not always kept your command to love others, but I ask for Your grace to love others as You would have me. In Jesus’ name . . . Amen. |
Tuesday |
Dear Jesus, Thank You for loving me. You saw me in my sinful condition and saved me. Help me to see past the differences I have with others, so that I can love them. Grant me the grace to do this today. In Your name I ask. . . Amen. |
Wednesday |
Almighty God, Thank You for seeing me. You saw my pain and sent Your Son Jesus to die for me. I ask that You would help me to see the needs of others. May I not be so wrapped up in myself that I miss people. In Jesus’ name . . . Amen. |
Thursday |
Heavenly Father, Thank You for blessing my life. I ask that You would make me a blessing to others. Help me to reach out and give of my time and resources to meet the needs of those in pain. I ask this in Jesus’ name. . . Amen. |
Friday |
Dear Jesus, Thank You for caring for me when I could not care for myself. I ask that You would help me to do the same with others. Give me a heart that truly loves You and loves others. I ask this in Your name . . . Amen. |
Saturday |
Almighty God, when I was an enemy with You, You loved me anyway. Help me to love my enemies as well. I cannot do it without you, so I ask for Your grace. Help me to be a Good Samaritan even to them. In Jesus’ name I ask. . . Amen. |
Background on the Text
In Jewish society, the Samaritan people were looked down upon because they were a “mixed breed.” In the Old Testament, the book of 2nd Kings records the story of the defeat of the northern kingdom of Israel by the Assyrian Empire. The Jewish people from the northern kingdom began to intermarry with the Assyrians and accepted their religious practices. This mixing of race and religion by the Samaritans caused the Jews to despise them. They hated them so much that it was impossible for a Samaritan, according to the Jewish tradition, to become a Jew. For all intended purposes, Samaritans were excluded from eternal life. It is in this context of hostility where Jesus explains the love of the Samaritan man for his supposed “enemy.” Being a neighbor, even to one’s enemy, is the essence of loving others.
Monday
Observation: What does the text say?
Tuesday
Interpretation: What do these verses mean?
Wednesday
Application: How can I respond to the text’s insights and teachings?
Thursday
After reading and studying this text, reflect on the following discipleship growth points:
Encouraged and strengthened me by:
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Fallen short areas
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What will I do with these insights?
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Friday
After reading and studying this text, reflect on the following discipleship growth points:
What did God say to me this week?
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Share insights and growth points
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Changed/transformed how?
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Saturday
Reflective Thoughts