“I desire compassion, and not sacrifice, for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” — Matthew 9:13, NASB

As I reviewed chapter two, it was difficult for me to summarize what I’d read. This little chapter is packed full of the truth of the gospel and the truth that our world is getting smaller every day. Here in suburbia, it is easy to ignore the injustice, but now that we know, we are responsible to act. As one of our readers pointed out: we are to give out of our abundance, not from guilt or strain. (p.39) She referenced 2 Corinthians 8:13-15 which says,

“For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, ‘Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.’” from the ESV Bible (The last portion of this passage refers to Exodus 16:18.)

Here is a quote from one of our readers, “I’m not a Bible scholar but I find it interesting that the word ‘equality’ is used, but it is in the context of everyone having just enough regardless of if they have lots or little. This passage challenges us to use our abundance to help others.”

As this chapter’s key verse explains, it is not about giving sacrificially out of a guilty conscience, rather it is about having compassion and acting on what God asks you to do. Does that mean it will be comfortable? Not necessarily…the word compassion is from two words (latin & greek - “cum” & “pati”) which mean, “to suffer with,” so having compassion on another is no small thing. I think Tom Davis explains it best in the following video clip (less than 5 minutes).

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