“Three Philosophies of Life” Luke 10:25-37

A lawyer, trying to test Jesus, asked him how to gain eternal life. Jesus, in what he desired, turned the question around and asked for his opinion first. The response was to love God and to love his neighbor. To which Jesus agreed. The lawyer didn’t have a problem with loving God, but obviously he felt uncomfortable with his past actions in loving his neighbor. To justify himself, he tried to narrow the definition of neighbor by asking Jesus to define “neighbor.”

I. The Robbers - “What Is Thine Is Mine” A robber practices the philosophy“might makes right.” A characteristic of the wicked is brutality – 2 Tim. 3:3 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, Violence becomes a part of their nature. – Prov. 4:14-17 II Kings 18:20 - Trust in strength and plans are empty words. Money comes before your fellow man I Tim. 6:6-10 - Riches can be a snare. Luke 12:16-21 - Physical riches cannot save.

II. The Priest and the Levite – “What Is Mine Is Mine” A philosophy of every man for himself. A common attitude of the religious class. II Tim 3:2 - Lovers of themselves… 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Too busy in their own duties to get involved. They didn’t cause the man’s unfortunate circumstances. They felt no obligation or responsibility for the man’s welfare. In other words, they neglected an opportunity to do good.

James 4:17 - Not doing the good we know about is a sin. James 2:13-16 - How can we have faith without doing good? I John 3:16-18 - If we ignore the oppressed, how can God’s love be in us? Gal. 6:10 - Do good to all men as the opportunity arises. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

III. The Samaritan - “What Is Mine Is Thine” Do to others what you would have done to you - Mt 7:12 The Samaritan took the time to help. He did not say “I just don’t have the time.”  He did not withhold is own goods, saying “I will need them later.”  Nor did he say “I’m not adequately supplied.” He did something. He did not wait for someone else to help. He did not check out the character of the man to see if he was deserving of help.

“Go And Do Likewise.” Do we only do good to those who are nice to us? - Luke 6:32-36  James 2:24 - A man is justified by his works. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.  Micah 6:8 - 8 He has shown you, O man, what is good;        And what does the LORD require of you        But to do justly, To love mercy,     And to walk humbly with your God?

We have been shown, what will we do?! “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls;” (2 Corinthians 12:15). “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure;” (Philippians 2:13) Are we letting God work through us?