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CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) – I learned an important lesson about giving generously and helping others in the past week.
There is a family at my church that has welcomed a new child. The child was born premature and weighed only 4-pounds. The mother and father are poor and have nothing.
Our church has been helping them. We’ve found them housing, an upper room where they can stay in someone’s home. We’ve found them furniture – a bed, a crib, and other basics. And they need more. Some people in the church have given them cash. I bought them two cases of diapers and a case of baby wipes.
Their baby hasn’t come home from the hospital yet. The new child was in an infant intensive care unit in Green Bay, and has since been transferred to a more advanced facility in Madison. I haven’t seen the new father and mother for a few weeks. They’ve been out-of-town to be closer to their child.
They don’t need my gift yet; their baby hasn’t arrived home yet.
I brought the two cases of diapers and baby wipes into the church, and left them on a back table. The new family can have them the next time I see them. But, since last Sunday someone else has taken one case of diapers. It’ gone now. Others have opened the case of baby wipes; about have of the packets have disappeared.
At first, I was frustrated. I had a specific use in mind for what I’d bought.
But over the last few days, I’ve seen the situation differently.
This is almost certainly a misunderstanding. There was no note or sign on the diapers and wipes I’d set out. We usually have baked goods and other food that’s donated that we set on the back tables. It’s intended for people to take home.
What I’ve come to realize is that – so what – some other parent of some other newborn also needed diapers, so they took them. And who am I to say that they are more needy, or more deserving, than anyone else? I’m a wealthy man compared to others in my church. I can and will buy more.
And this is the example that Jesus gave for us. The bible has many examples of Jesus helping people that he didn’t even know… strangers. The leper on the road, the man at the healing pool, the lame man who was lowered through the roof, the bleeding woman. Jesus helped all of them.
I don’t get to pick and choose who I help and who I don’t. If someone needs something, and you can help, do it. Even for a stranger.
Chris Conley
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