Don't Pass By

By Chuck Davenport

Executive Director of Discipleship

Luke 10:33–35
“But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return, I will repay you.’”

This story begins with a man testing Jesus by asking, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus points him back to truth he already knows: love God and love your neighbor. But the man presses further, asking, “And who is my neighbor?” In other words—who counts, who doesn’t, and who am I actually responsible to love?

Jesus answers with a story that refuses to keep love theoretical or neatly compartmentalized.

A man is traveling, attacked, beaten, and left for dead. A priest passes by—culturally, the one most expected to help—yet he keeps walking. A Levite, another religious man who should honor God in this moment, also passes by. Two religious men. Two clear opportunities to step in with compassion and generosity. Both choose not to stop.

Then Jesus introduces a Samaritan. To the original audience, this was the least likely hero—an outsider, someone not expected to act with love. Yet the Samaritan stops. He steps into the mess, bandages the man’s wounds, places him on his own animal, and brings him to an inn to recover.

When it comes to generosity, the key detail is what happens next. The Samaritan does not offer a quick fix. He pays for ongoing care. He gives his own money to the innkeeper and promises to cover whatever additional cost may come.

The Samaritan gains nothing from this act. Instead, he chooses to create a pathway for continued healing and restoration. This is what God-honoring generosity looks like.

Ultimately, this story points us to Jesus Himself. He did not pass us by. When we were broken and helpless, He moved toward us. He paid what none of us could pay by going to the cross. And He did not merely begin a good work—He continues to restore us through relationship.

Something to Pray

Ask the Lord to show you where you may have been “passing by”—perhaps too busy, too distracted, too guarded, or too comfortable to step in and live generously with what He has entrusted to you. Ask Him for compassion that moves not only your heart, but your feet.

Something to Do

Identify one person you know who is carrying something heavy right now. Do something tangible to help—make the call, bring a meal, send a gift card, show up.



Then, within the next week, follow up. Check back in. Continue the care. When the temptation comes to move on and forget, remember the priest and the Levite—and commit to be someone who does not pass by, but lives generously.