When They Ring The Golden Bells


Neil Hollis

Chaplain's Message

Most Good Sam members are aware that when The Good Sam Club first began it was organized on the basis of the biblical character traditionally known as the "Good Samaritan" which we read about in Luke 10:30-35. 

³⁰ In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. ³¹ A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. ³² So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ³³ But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. ³⁴ He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. ³⁵ The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'

In the next verse, Jesus poses the question, 

³⁶ "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"

and which was properly answered,

³⁷ The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

The encouragement that can be passed on from this Scripture is Jesus' words, "Go and do likewise." The parable has application that can be embraced by people of all faiths. Kindness, from one human being to another,  knows no constrictions as relates to any religion. Let us all strive to emulate the Good Samaritan to our fellow "Good-Sam'ers" and all of mankind. 

Scripture taken from New International Version