The story of the Good Samaritan is a great demonstration of knowing how to seize the moment.

Jesus told the story in Luke 10:30-37.

Three men came upon the same crime scene at different times. There, they saw a man who had been robbed and beaten. He was bruised and bleeding. The third man, a Samaritan, decided to seize the moment to be kind.

When you have the opportunity to be kind, don’t wait. Don’t delay. Don’t procrastinate. Do what you can at that very moment.

The Samaritan felt compassion, but it didn’t end there. He took action. He didn’t just say, “I’m sorry for this guy. Isn’t it a shame what has happened? That’s too bad.”

He actually did something. He seized the moment. He did what he could with what he had. The truth is, the world is full of wounded and hurting people. They are all around us. What they need is love.

Would you be willing to show them some kindness? Don’t wait for perfect circumstances to get involved. It won’t happen.

Opportunities to show kindness are never on the schedule. You have to be willing to be interrupted. Be willing to be inconvenienced. Kindness is typically spontaneous. You have to be ready to seize the moment.

The Good Samaritan also shows us how to do whatever it takes to show kindness. But understand, there is always a cost to kindness.

There is always a price tag. Kindness inevitably causes us to have to sacrifice time, or money, or energy. It will cost you to be kind. Perhaps that is why so many opt out.

This Good Samaritan did all that he could to take care of a total stranger. He administered first aid at the scene of the crime. He put the wounded man on his own donkey, which probably means the Samaritan had to walk the 20 miles to Jericho. He gets a room. He nurses the wounded man.

He makes every provision possible, including paying the bill for expenses already incurred and offering to cover all additional expenses when he returns. Do you know what the Good Samaritan got out of this random act of kindness? He received nothing that we know of.

Kindness is not about getting something back. It is about doing the right thing. It’s about following the example of Christ.

Don’t just see the need. Do something about it. Galatians 6:10 says, “As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people …”

Steve Greene is the lead pastor at The Point in Seymour. Send comments to [email protected].