Every country comprises of the wealthy and the poor.

Usually, there is a vast difference between the two. The middle class in most societies is greatly eroded.

However, when there is a major disaster in the country suddenly everyone is on the same level.

This sudden equality among the groups is temporary because the wealthy will recover faster than the poor.

Sometimes the poor never recover!

Why do disasters have the power to erode the classes in society?

Could it be that natural disasters occur to bring awareness to the plight of the poor?

Jesus encourages us to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Unfortunately, many of us do not understand who is our neighbor. Some people believe that their neighbor is someone who is of equal status to them.

Who is your neighbor?

The lawyer wanted to know the blueprint to eternal life so he asked Jesus the above question (Luke 10:25-37).

To answer this question, Jesus told him the parable of the good Samaritan.

The Priest and the Levite ignored the dying man on the roadside and refused to help him.

These two men knew the laws of God that commanded them to help the poor and needy in the land.

For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.’ (Deuteronomy 15:11 NKJV)

Yet, they deliberately disobeyed the laws of God.

However, the Samaritan who was not bonded by the Jewish laws felt that it was his humanitarian duty to help the injured man.

The injured man on the roadside was not an animal, but a fellow human like himself.

Thus, the Good Samaritan immediately had compassion on the helpless man and stopped to help him.

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. (Luke 10:33-34 NKJV)

The good Samaritan poured the oil and wine on the wounds of the injured man and nursed him back to health.

The good Samaritan became a neighbor to the poor and helpless man because he showed him mercy.

Therefore, our neighbors are those who are less fortunate than us.

Our neighbors are the poor, the oppressed, the homeless, the widows, orphans, and fatherless within our society.

We do not have to wait for a disaster to happen to let us recognize our neighbors.

We can celebrate our neighbors anytime by giving, helping, praying, and encouraging those who need our support.

Lord, I pray that we will have mercy and compassion on the poor and helpless in our communities.

I pray that we will always be sensitive to their needs and help when it is in the power of our hands to do so.

In Jesus name, Amen.

For additional information about the Oil and Wine read: Harm not the Oil and Wine. Get your copy today!