Introduction:

Every waking experience is a gift from God. Every breath drawn, and step taken, is a revelation -of his miracle of life working in our physical bodies. The Lord is good, and his mercies and provisions exist forever. He keeps his covenant, making the inexhaustible resources of heaven available to us right through a thousand generations (Deuteronomy 7, vs 9). Our presence iii Oman at this time of our life is further testimony of the Lord’s goodness. Given this goodness and unfathomable mercy of Almighty sod, we need to question how we have utilised lhe resources and affluence that he provided us. Sadly, whilst enjoying considerable afftuence, many Christians have perfected the ability to ignore the plight of less fortunate brothers and sisters. Many have become immune to the sufferings that surround us. (Amos 6 vs 3-6)

Faith and Works:

The power of the Holy Ghost and wealth that God has -given us are for a purpose. That we should loose people from the bondage of wickedness, undo burdens and let the yoked go free. (Isaiah 58, vs 6 — U). Prayer and faith, without works are insufficient. Pure and godly ChriStIan religion demand that we visit the hungry, naked, homeless and distressed, and to use the anointing to make a difference in their lives and circumstances that they are drawn to God (James 1, vs 27). It is required that we use the resources that God has provided us to make life better for our less fortunate brothers and sisters (James 2, vs 15-17).

Love your neighbours as yourselves. But the brilliant lawyer who asked the question "who is my neighbour?"

tried to tempt Jesus to define "neighbour" in a partisan manner. Perhaps, the lawyer had expected Jesus to say The Jew is a neighbour tr the Jew., and the Gentile a neighbour to the Gentile". The response of Jesus citing the parable of the Good Samaritan affords a great deal of insight. (Luke 10, vs 25—36).

We are not told the race, tribe, religion or profession of the robbery victim in the paraole. However, we can easily deduce that he must have been a wealthy man since he was travelling with valuables. The two ministers of God (first the priest, then the Levite) stumbled upon the situation. It was not their primary assignment and they must have had more urgent and important tasks to fulfil in the temple. Rather than help the poor victim in dire need, they crossed the road and went about thia other business. How often do we as christians still cross the proverbial road and go about the business of the "kingdom" ? How often do we see a brother or sister in need, but would rather respond to other more important business?

It is remarkable that the person who helped the robbery victim was a Samaritan, one of the so-called "mixed race", a people contaminated by "foreign blood". The Jews generally looked down upon the Samaritans. However, it was the Samaritan. most likely at great risk to his own life, who stopped to take care of the victim. We should ask ourselves the same question today: who really are the neighbours to less fortunate brothers and sisters? Is it those that run non-profit, charitable organisations, but have no relationship with God? Or Christians who claim to have that relationship but would rather cross the road. Are you still crossing the road?

It is easy for us to express our "love" for one -another. But we cannot claim to have God’s kind of genuine love

If we see another person in need but fail to respond to that need. (1 John. 3 vs 17). We need to be alive to the needs of those around us (Matthew 25, vs 3540)

The Bible says in Hebrews 13, vs 2 "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertalned angels unawares".

And in Matt 25:34 "Come, you whoa,. blessed by my Father; take your Inheritance the kingdom