“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” James 1:22
I’m sure we’ve all had a ready word for someone who was going through a rough patch in their lives, while at the same time, realizing that we, like everyone else, have some glaring issues ourselves to deal with. We all know those who are good at quoting scriptures and are always quick to give chapter and verse; and yet, their lives tell a completely different story. Yes, it’s easy to tell others what to do, but are we willing to give ourselves the same dose of advice?
The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-36) is a classic example of a doer of the Word. He got down in the ditch where the wounded man was languishing and bound up his wounds with oil and wine. He then placed him on his own donkey, and brought him to an inn to care for him. His actions spoke louder than words. The only words that the Samaritan was recorded to have spoken were to the innkeeper the next morning in another selfless act, when he handed him some money and said, “Here, use this to take care of him, and if you spend more than this, I’ll repay you when I return.”
When we show our concern in a substantial way our words will mean something. Yet, it’s not just giving money to someone, or providing a room at the Inn. It’s giving something that is far more valuable than money. It’s going out of our way and taking the time necessary to see them through.
Time is more valuable than money. We can always get more money, but we can’t get time back once it’s gone. The time the Samaritan spent gave the wounded man new life. One day all we will have left is what we’ve given to God, and when we give God our time and consideration by caring for those for whom He died, He takes it personally.
That’s why James (James 1:19) told his brothers in the faith to “…be swift to hear, slow to speak…” and take the time to validate our words by taking the time to build those words into our own life first so they’ll mean something to those we want to help.
With Love,
Pastor Tom
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