Like Abraham in Genesis 13:17, the Holy Spirit is calling the IPHC to Arise to Mission through the year 2026. This is part of the larger vision of Arise 2033 as we seek to do our part in sharing the gospel with more nations, people groups, and languages. There are four themes in Arise to Mission that taken together help us fulfill the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:36-40) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20).

ARISE TO MISSION DEVOTIONAL

Practice

Luke 10:34-35

 “He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’” 

There are two questions that every Christ follower should be able to answer. First, “how generous are you?” And second, “how are you generous?” This latter inquiry should be a lesson for us all. We must not be more generous in theory than in practice. Our generosity should be visible to all those around us.

Generosity is not something that comes later after you accumulate wealth. It’s something you can live out wherever you are in life today. It’s not something that occasionally happens — it’s a lifestyle you must develop.

One of the most generous men in the Bible was the un-named, unknown stranger that Jesus spoke about who is best known as “The Good Samaritan” (Luke 10:29-37). The Master told this amazing story to answer a question from a lawyer. Hidden among this familiar account are some characteristics of generosity that are true in all generations.

While others passed by a wounded man left half-dead beside the road, the hero in these verses had compassion on him (10:33). Jesus Himself was “moved with compassion” when He saw humanity in need (Matthew 9:36). Ministry always flows out of those who have compassionate hearts – even toward those of different ethnic roots.

As we have seen in previous lessons, generosity can be the sharing of one’s time, talents, or treasures. Notice in this story the time that the benevolent Samaritan invested in the injured victim. One of the reasons the priest and the Levite did not stop to help this man was likely that they were too busy with their own agendas (10:31-32).

Jesus Himself never went out of His way to help others. “His way” included whoever He encountered in need. People were not interruptions to His ministry. 

The kind stranger used His talents to mend the broken man (10:34) and his treasure to pay the innkeeper to care for him (10:35)

The Master spoke His final words to the lawyer and to us: “Go and do likewise” (10:37).