Assisting Others

 
Not too long ago I was stranded at my local gas station after my car failed to start. First I asked a gentleman at the next pump if he would give me a jump start. I even offered to supply the cables. He told me he was in a hurry and couldn't help me. Then I asked the gas station attendant for assistance and again I was refused. There were several people in line who pretended not to notice my predicament and offered no help.
Finally I asked a gentleman that had just pulled into the station to give me a quick jump start and he obliged me immediately before returning to his business. After thanking him profusely, and starting off down the road, it dawned on me how closely that situation resembled the parable Jesus told about the good Samaritan. In that story a Jewish man was robbed and beaten and left for dead. He was continually passed by by those who did not want to get involved including the religious. It was not until a Samaritan, a natural enemy of the Jews, came upon him, that someone stopped and assisted him. Not much has changed in 2000 years. What was human nature back then is human nature still. While the world continues to look out for number one, God is still calling us to treat others the way we would want to be treated. Don't allow the troubles and cares of your life to cause you to pass up the opportunity to be a blessing to someone else.