IT'S THE LEAST I COULD DO

"And he answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." — Luke 10:27 (ESV)

We often say, "Well, that's the least I could do." But what does that statement really mean?

Are we admitting we could've done more but didn't have time? Or are we downplaying our kindness, indicating our contribution doesn’t measure up to what others have done?

Let's look at the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). Jesus tells of a man who:

• Saw the wounded traveler and had compassion

• Bandaged his wounds with oil and wine

• Placed him on his own donkey

• Took him to an inn and cared for him

• Paid for his stay and promised to cover future costs.

No one could say the Samaritan did the least he could do. He did the most.

Honestly, I might've felt good just helping the man sit up, calling 911, and waiting for help. But Jesus challenges us to go further. Just the other morning, I saw a woman at a bus stop in the pouring rain—no umbrella. I had two in my car. So, I turned around, rolled down my window, and handed her one. Her face lit up. My heart overflowed. That was the least I could do, since l couldn't drive her myself (my husband is not thrilled about me picking up strangers!).

Sometimes the least we can do is:

• Drop off soup and bread when we can't cook a full meal

• Make a phone call when we can't visit

But when was the last time I modeled my serving after the Good Samaritan-and did the most I could do?

Let's start today by doing at least the least we can do. And let's pray for the grace and opportunity to do the most.

Julie Faircloth serves with her husband, Bishop Blaine Faircloth in the Midlands region of the Church of God.