Be Mindful To Help Others

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We must carry our burdens

Today, many find it difficult to help others. This is because we are so consumed by our own burdens to the point that we are unable to see the need to help others. There is nothing wrong with focusing on your own problems. In fact, Paul said “For each one shall bear his own load.” (Galatians 6:5, NKJV). In life, we all have to learn to do things by ourselves. That is why, from day one, our parents teach us to be self-reliant so that we can manage our own affairs. When Jesus was condemned to death, He carried his own cross for His crucifixion (Matthew 27:31, NKJV). 

Simon helped Jesus Christ

In the days of crucifixion, it was the tradition of the Romans to make people who were condemned to death carry their own cross. Therefore, normally, no one else was allowed to bear the cross of another person. Though it was a tradition for those condemned to carry their own cross to the place of their crucifixion, the Roman soldiers saw the need to compel Simon of Cyrene to help Jesus carry His cross.

“Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross.”

Matthew 27:32 (New King James Version)

Jesus was so exhausted that He could barely carry His cross after He was subjected to severe torture. Even the Roman soldiers who reveled in the pain of Jesus saw the need for another to help Him. They strongly persuaded Simon (from Libya) to carry Jesus’ cross. 

The responsibility to help others

We must bear in mind that we have a responsibility to help others. It is for this reason Paul said “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2, NKJV). It is clear from the Scripture that there is a time for us to carry our own burdens. But, there is also a time for us to look beyond our burdens and help others carry their burdens.

I believe that we all have issues to deal with in life but we must have the courage to sometimes forget about our own problems to focus on others a little. We must understand that regardless of the situation in which we find ourselves, there will always be people that we can help if only we are mindful to do so. We should not ignore the struggles or pain of others when we can essentially be of help in one way or another. Thus, we should not look away when we can actually extend a helping hand to others.

Learn to help others

We must simply learn to help others (no matter how small we think our help may appear to be) as much as is within our power to do so. In Isaiah, it is said “Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow.” (Isaiah 1:17, NKJV). Many have missed the opportunities they have had to do good by helping others.

But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Hebrews 13:16 (New King James Version)

The Scripture encourages us to do good and to share. We must consciously do good by helping others because it makes God happy. Thus, He becomes excited when He sees His children helping others and being a blessing to them.

The story of the Samaritan

“Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. “Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. “Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. “

So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. “On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.

“So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Luke 10:30-37 (New King James Version)

Don’t be like that priest or Levite

Jesus used the story above to illustrate to us the significance of helping others. A man who was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho was, unfortunately, attacked by thieves. A priest who used that same road saw the “half dead man” lying down but ignored him and carried on with his journey. The priest was more interested in what he was going to do than helping the man. Perhaps, he was in a hurry to honor a preaching appointment. The priest had the opportunity to help the “half dead man” but he didn’t. Similarly, the Levite had the opportunity to help the “half dead man” but, like the priest, he did not.

You can make a difference

The Samaritan reacted differently to the situation. He took the decision to help the “half dead man”. Instead of continuing with his journey, just as the priest and Levite had done, the Samaritan chose to offer some form of assistance to save the life of the “half dead man”. He used whatever oil and wine he had with him. He treated the wounds of the man with it as a form of first aid. After, he carried him to a place where he was taken care of. 

A kingdom of helpers

There was a time when Jesus was teaching his disciples about the kingdom of God. His intention was for his disciples to understand how the kingdom of God works. He simply wanted to change their natural perspective to a heavenly dimension. So, He said to His disciples:

“for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.

Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and gave You drink? When did we see a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You? And the King will answer and say to them, Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” 

Matthew 25:35-40 (New King James Version)

Unto others as unto God

Therefore, anything we do for our fellow men, we are actually doing it for God and that is how He sees it. If only we can understand that any help we extend to people, it is unto God and not men, then our attitude towards helping people and being there for them would improve.

Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 

Philippians 2:4 (New King James Version)

We must keep watching out for others

As believers, we must seek the interest of others and be willing to help them when it is necessary. Solomon said “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of your hand to do so.” (Proverbs 3:27, NKJV). Therefore, we cannot hold back when we are in the position to help those that need our help. Please remember the degree to which God has been there for you and do same for others.

Let’s keep the fire burning until the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ!