Beautiful job with this, Issac. I’m honestly glad to have found and subscribed to you. Fantastic Goethe quote, and I really enjoyed how you broke down the Good Samaritan parable.

I think for me, the defining moment of how I choose to help those in need came when I was approached by a young man in front of a doughnut shop a few years ago. He wanted 40 dollars for his workboots so he could return back home, which was on the east coast of Canada (from Alberta) about 4-5 days of nonstop driving away.

Instead of giving him the money, I asked why he was selling. Found out that he came here hoping for work and couldn’t find a job in the oilpatch. I then told him about how he could find work through my union hall, and that they were hiring with no experience required. His eyes lit up as I gave him the number to call and he sincerely expressed his thanks at being given this lead.

To me, I think I gave him something more valuable than money. If I can teach a man to fish rather then to simply give him one, I’ve done more good this way. I think it’s more important to listen to those in need and understand that money isn’t always what the solution is. Nor is it practical to be giving money to each person who asks.

I think a few minutes of conversation is more nourishing and useful than to simply pull out money and walk away. That’s how I usually approach these type of situations, and also what I think Jesus was trying to communicate. It’s not that we’re obligated to give the shirts off of our backs, but to be empathic and genuinely wanting to be of service.

Thanks again for such a well-written article. You have a gift. Glad to see it being put to use!