Have you ever seen a fellow Christian have a particular need and deflected your eyes away and thought, “Not my problem! Someone else can deal with this. I’ve got other things to do”? Is that a big deal?
Consider first these instructions to the Jews long ago. “You shall not see your brother’s ox or his sheep going astray, and hide yourself from them…You shall not see your brother’s donkey or his ox fall down along the road, and hide yourself from them” (Deut. 22:4). God’s people were required to take action! Then, look at God’s instructions to Christians in the New Testament. “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (1 John 3:17).
The priest and Levite in the parable of the Good Samaritan illustrate the Lord’s condemnation of those who see a brother in need and “pass by” (Luke 10:30-32). The Lord’s command is simple, “You must not hide yourself” (Deut. 22:3). Brethren, do not hide yourself from helping!