Acts 1:8 Giving - Samaria

Acts 1:8 Giving

Samaria

Continuing the journey of applying the principle of Acts 1:8 to our giving now brings us to Samaria. Our perspectives can be the reason giving to this group of people is difficult. The people of Samaria have been marginalized by society and 

even by some in the Church. The Samaritans are people ‘less than’ us. The Samaritans are people who have been abandoned, rejected, or forgotten. The Samaritans arepeople who have had their value down-graded. You know them. You see them. You may be thinking of one right now. But remember, the Samaritans are people!!

Jesus reminds us of their value in His parable found in Luke 10: 25 -37 of the Bible. Jesus further upgrades their value in John 4: 5-42 with the salvation of an entire Samaritan city.

There are two areas that are close to my heart where Samaritans can be found. The first group is in Convalescent homes. This is where my Mom spent the last four years of her earthly life. During those years I got to see and speak with men and women, people,abandoned by family.

I was also able to witness the joy volunteers brought to my Mom and many of the other patients. Like Mr. Joe who would come in once or twice each week to call Bingo. The excitement of 40 Samaritans, guarding 100 boards, looking to be ‘the winner’ is a thrilling event. 

Thank you Mr. Joe for giving your time to my Mom and her Samaritan friends. Thank you for seeing them as valuable people.

The ladies in this Convalescent Home had another exciting event. Twice a month a Ladies’ group from a local church would visit. The reason for their visit was to paint fingernails. I’m unable to verbalize the thrill of these manicuring events. But the joy on the faces of the ladies is unforgettable. These Samaritans, these people, enjoyed being ‘gussied up’.  

But many here had major health restrictions. They couldn’t go to the Hall for Bingo. They never made the journey for the manicure. They had no family or friends visiting them. They needed Acts 1:8 believers to come to their bedside.

I have much more I want to say about ministering to these Samaritan people. I was blest with the opportunity to give to this group of Convalescent Home Samaritans. But my main Samaritan blessing went elsewhere. I will write about that ministry as this series continues.

Pastor Ken Gaston