Showing Compassion for Those in Trouble: A Biblical Perspective

Showing Compassion for Those in Trouble: A Biblical Perspective

By Kevin C. Zell aka Chaplin Pappy

Hello friends. Today is part four of my series on why we are accountable to one another. As always while KOVH doesn’t support any one religious group, I am approaching this writing as always from my background as I write this article. So, let’s get started.

From the Christian worldview the Bible is consistently calling believers to show compassion toward those who are in trouble. By showing compassion and mercy, we are reflecting the heart and character of God. Compassion should not just be an act of feeling pity for those in need; it needs to be love for our neighbors put into action—by stepping into one’s neighbor’s suffering with a desire to bring some needed relief. While the Bible teaches many things about the attributes of God Christians are taught about the mercy of God more than anything else in scripture. Throughout the Bible, God has revealed Himself as, “a father of the fatherless, a defender of widows” (Psalm 68:5). If you are a person of faith we are called to imitate this compassion in our daily lives. Even if your are not religious there is still a moral principle that can be found within this teaching about showing mercy to our neighbors.

As a reminder as I keep mentioning throughout this series our neighbors are not just the folks that live next to us, they are the people that we cross paths with each and every day of our lives. And it is in our actions, as we encounter those who are our neighbors that we truly show the very nature of our heart and the value of what we love the most in life.

As a Christian believe and having studied the life of Jesus, I have seen where he modeled compassion repeatedly. Whether it is seen in the healing of the sick, feeding the crowds, or connecting with the outcasts of society, Jesus always taught through actions the way we should be caring for one another. Using the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37), we learn that compassion crosses cultural, social, and personal boundaries. We also see that the Samaritan did not ask whether the wounded man deserved help; he just simply acted when he saw the needs of the wounded man by tending to his wounds and ensuring for his care. Again, this story is a reminder us that our neighbor is anyone in need, and compassion means actively stepping into their hardship. You Don’t have to be a religious person to se the moral value of this teaching. Doesn’t matter where we are or who the other person is when there is a need and if we are able to help then we need to step up without delay and help those in need.

Even in the writings of the Apostle Paul we are encouraged to “carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). This statement is rooted in love—it is the in very act of compassion that we seek to lighten the load of each other by helping to carry another’s burdens. Whether the trouble is physical, emotional, or spiritual, we are called to be present, to be prayerful, and to be willing to act.

True compassion in the believer’s life reflects God’s own saving work in our lives. Again, even if you do not believe in God, your actions still show the nature of your heart and what you value most when it comes to helping others. Therefore, when we show compassion to others—whether through financial help, through acts of encouragement, through advocacy for those in trouble, or simply walking or sitting with them when struggling—we mirror the love God has first showed us.

In a world where we are divided by so many different labels, we need to stop letting others divide us and start standing with one another when there is a need. For those who are Christians, In a world often marked by indifference, believers are called to be the hands and feet of Christ, bringing comfort and hope to those in distress. For all of us whether a Christian or not Compassion is not optional; it is evidence of what we value most in life. Proverbs 19:17 says, “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and He will reward them for what they have done.”  When we extend compassion, we not only bless others—we also bless the God we claim to serve.

In closing KOVH does not support or endorse in one religion. I am writing this article from my background and using my faith to get my point across.

Here at KOVH we are working to help Veteran families who are dealing with the housing crisis due to no fault of their own. We are working on groundbreaking legislation that we need to get before Congress that will help keep many of our Veterans and the families in their homes. If you would like to learn more about this and how you can get involved with KOVH please visit keepourvetshoused.org. Or if you have questions about please email us at kovhfoundation@gmail.com.