The difference between caring about others and not caring at all is quite evident in today’s busy and uncertain world. It has even been politicized in some countries where offering help to the sick and the poor is not cool and is not viewed as a responsibility of society. Some people go out of their way to help others, showing kindness and understanding. On the other hand, some don’t seem to care about anyone else. They ignore the problems and suffering of others, acting like it doesn’t matter. Some believe that helping someone else is a negative regardless of the specific circumstances.
We need to think about the difference between showing empathy and being heartless. With all the chaos and confusion around us, we need to take a good look at how we treat others and what it means for our world. People sometimes find themselves in circumstances not of their choosing. We need to bear in mind that regardless of how well we are doing, there could be a time when we find ourselves in similar circumstances.
I often come across news items or social media posts that tell of someone who does a kind deed for a neighbor or even a stranger. These stories get a lot of attention and views. Sometimes it is someone paying for a coffee, a drink, or groceries for another person. Others are about people or groups joining to provide housing, pay hospital bills, give money to start a business or pay for a funeral. You may see stories about crowdfunding through GoFundMe and videos about donating to strangers or mowing their lawns. It may not make the news, but some everyday people help others in varying situations. This has even caught on in individualistic countries where typically, people only care about themselves and their families. Regardless of the culture, there will always be people who show kindness and those who don’t.
We can offer support physically, emotionally, and financially, but spiritual support is also important. Romans 8:34, “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” Christ is interceding for all of us and has set the example for us to intercede for others also. Romans 8:27 also tells us that the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. It is easy to look the other way but we can be the “Good Samaritan” who lends a helping hand. The story is told in Luke 10:29 – 37. Some chose to ignore the plight of the man who had been attacked by robbers and was lying by the roadside, but the Samaritan helped him. He even paid for him to stay at an inn until he had recovered.
An Interesting Perspective
About 10 years ago a friend, Elaine, shared an experience that still has me pondering it occasionally. She related that she migrated to another country and life became very good after a while. She decided to offer some monetary assistance to her cousin, Jodie, who was a single mother with two children. Her cousin had not asked for her help, however, knowing she was struggling financially, she was prompted to help. The amount Elaine sent was not large but when Jodie changed it into the currency in the country she lived in, it was of great help.
Elaine made it clear that it was not burdensome for her to send the money. Jodie was thankful and expressed this in her letters. After Elaine sent the third contribution, Elaine again wrote to her expressing her gratitude and stated that she was happy to have someone whom she could look to for help. Elaine told me that was the last time she ever sent Jodie money. I asked her why she stopped. She said she did not want anyone to feel they can depend on her. I was taken aback by her interpretation of her cousin’s expression of thanks and her decision.
I wondered about the reason behind the decision. It seemed like a strange decision. Perhaps Elaine was afraid that if she was unable to send money to Jodie at some point Jodie would feel disappointed or she would feel that she had let down her cousin. Did she think that she was enabling Jodie in a way that was not good? Is it that Elaine felt people should depend on themselves and God for help? Would you have reacted like Elaine, or would you be happy that you could help?
Being Kind and Helpful to Others
Jesus Christ has set the example for us regarding intercession. It is about caring deeply for people who are struggling. It’s more than just feeling sorry for them – it’s wanting to improve things and being there for them when they need it most. Whether praying for them, speaking up for them, or doing something to help, intercessors show compassion and give hope to those going through tough times. The Bible commands us to pray for one another, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16, ESV).
In today’s world, there are a lot of people who need help. They may be dealing with big problems like not having enough food or facing unfair treatment. That’s why it’s so important for all of us to step up and help out. In Galatians 6:2 the Apostle Paul tells us to, “Bear ye one another’s burden, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Many persons individually or through organizations offer help to those in need. By lending our voices, resources, and support to those who are struggling, we show that we care about them and want to make things right. Together, we can make the world a better and fairer place for everyone.
Some People Ignore the Pain of Others
Society has a big issue with people who do not care about each other. There are even people who get upset when help is offered to those in need. It shows up in many ways, like when someone sees another suffering but chooses to ignore it. When people lobby for the poor or for people experiencing difficulties to go unassisted, it shows the callousness and hardheartedness of society. It’s also seen when leaders care more about making money than helping people and in systems designed to treat some people unfairly.
This lack of care – called heartlessness – causes a lot of problems. It makes communities feel divided and causes arguments. It keeps people who are already struggling stuck in tough situations. Worst of all, it makes us forget how important it is to treat everyone with kindness and respect. We should pray earnestly for them and ask the Holy Spirit to intervene. Many persons have been saved from dangerous circumstances through spiritual intervention involving prayer and intercession. Let us also pray for those who are uncaring towards others who are in need.
Being Kind Instead of Ignoring Problems
When we see a lot of people not caring about others, it’s clear that we need to do something about it. We can’t just sit back and watch when unfair things happen. Instead, we need to be kind and understanding and stand up for those who are treated unfairly.
Helping others isn’t just a nice thing to do. It is really important. It means recognizing that we might have more advantages than others and using those advantages to make things fairer for everyone. It’s about speaking up for people who aren’t being heard, sharing their stories, and working to change things for the better.
We don’t have to do big, heroic things to make a difference. Even small acts of kindness, like listening to someone who needs to talk or giving them a helping hand can have a big impact. Bringing someone happiness is not a bad thing. It’s about being there for each other and showing that we care.
Make Your Corner of the World a Better Place
In a world with lots of fighting and disagreements, the choice to help others or ignore them is important. This is an important part of who we are and what values we hold dear because it shows whether we care about other people or not. It’s about being understanding and caring instead of cold, heartless, and uncaring toward others. Let us do what Ephesians 4:32 tells us and be kind to each other.
As we deal with the problems we face today, let us remember to help those who need it. Let’s stand up for people who are treated unfairly, and work to make things better for everyone. By doing this, we show that we respect and care about every person, no matter who they are or where they come from.