Good Samaritans?

   Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan:  “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.” (Luke 10:30-35)

   Jesus then said, “Go. and do thou likewise.” (Luke 10:37) Dealing with illegal immigration, some have proposed the story of the Good Samaritan as an answer. Yet here are Scriptural reasons why it is not:

   Charity is not charity when you use other people’s resources. The Good Samaritan in the story paid for the man’s care with his own money, no one else’s. Yet when people who cross illegally access public education and health care without paying, those who helped them cross don’t pay the bill. Taxpayers do.

   The Good Samaritan did not let an unvetted person enter a country illegally. He helped a violent crime victim in a temporary emergency. Those who help migrants illegally may mean well, but they expose citizens to possible danger when they do not vet those they help and cannot control their conduct once in-country. In Joshua 9:3-16, the Gibeonites said they were from a far country to gain favor with Israel. They lied. Joshua did not check their story and only learned the truth when it was too late.

   Illegal immigration can be a political ploy. The 435 seats in the House of Representatives and votes in the Electoral College are apportioned by total resident population, citizen or not. Thus a state can increase its Congressional power and influence in presidential elections by bringing in illegal immigrants. Those who claim to care about people but promote illegal immigration for political gain should heed Jesus’ words: “Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts:” (Luke 16:15)

   The Good Samaritan broke no laws. Romans 13:1 says, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.” Jesus also said, “Render therefore unto Caesar [government] the things which are Caesar’s;” (Matthew 22:21) God’s word does not give us liberty to disobey or ignore laws that we find inconvenient.

   America is a compassionate nation. We give billions of dollars annually in foreign aid. In the process of being compassionate, though, we cannot render our citizens vulnerable to enemies. Let us not forget 9/11. We also must consider our nation’s financial situation. Our national debt is $34 trillion and growing. If a man at a highway exit wanted donations, would you hand him food, a dollar, or your credit card?

   Israel’s leaders also erred regarding the Gibeonites in that they “…asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD.” (Joshua 9:14) They didn’t pray. On immigration, or any other issue for that matter, leaders need to pray for wisdom, and citizens need to pray for leaders: “For the LORD giveth wisdom:” (Proverbs 2:6)

   Finally, using the Good Samaritan story to justify illegal immigration also ignores the main reason why Jesus came to earth: “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10) People need to hear how Jesus died for their sins, was buried, and rose again to save them from eternal hell. To see how to have your sins forgiven and eternal life by receiving Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, please go to www.clevelandbaptist.org, click “Helpful Links,” then “How Do I Go to Heaven?”

Brian Miller 8/27/2024