“Teach me to feel another’s woe, to hide the fault I see, that mercy I to others show, that mercy show to me.” – Alexander Pope

Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. – (Matthew 5:7)

What would the Good Samaritan do?

We continue today with this week’s theme of the Good Samaritan – a message of mercy and compassion.

Yesterday when I was riding my bicycle home, I came across a significant two car accident. As I passed by, I asked if anyone was seriously hurt and was told “No.” About 100 yards later, I turned around and came back. This time, I asked “Is there anything I can do to help?” While I was told “No, thank you,” I knew I had done the right thing. Then I thought about asking myself the question “What would the Good Samaritan do?” anytime God crosses my path with someone in need.

It’s easy to pass by people in need with excuses – “I don’t have time to help” or “I can’t help everyone.” However, it is possible to help one person at a time as God puts them in our paths. Sometimes, just listening to someone or praying with them provides the encouragement they desperately need at just the right time.

By reaching out and showing mercy to Sam Reeves, God connected me to Rev. Ron Davidson, president and founder of Gleaning For The World (GFTW). Ron sent a lengthy reply of gratitude within 2 hours of sending my devotional on January 4 titled “Life is an Adventure.” I had just spoken to Brucie Quick, the Mission Coordinator for Gleaning for the World, the day before and she told me she would add herself to my devotional list. I don’t think Ron was on my email list on Jan 4.

Ron has an incredible story of what’s possible when someone develops an attitude of mercy and sees the downtrodden from God’s perspective. Here is part of what Ron shares on the GFTW website:

“In 1992, I met the homeless for the first time. I had seen the ghostly figures walking the streets, but had not taken the time to meet them personally. One night, I sat and talked with a group of homeless people who had lost their jobs, their homes, and their futures. As we talked, I realized they had the same dreams for their lives and their children as I did for mine. As I delved deeper into the challenge of poverty and homelessness, I saw that, while local organizations were doing all they could to help these individuals, they lacked many simple, essential supplies. After that encounter, my heart was burdened to help and my life was changed forever.

By 1998, my desire to help the poor was so great that I stepped down from my position as pastor of a 1,200-member church. My wife and I moved from a four-bedroom parsonage to a basement apartment and used my mother’s basement to start Gleaning For The World. We were determined to make a difference in people’s lives by providing charitable organizations with the supplies they needed to help the poor.

In just six years, GFTW moved from its basement office to an 18,000-square-foot office and warehouse facility in Concord, Virginia. By 2006, we had shipped more than $300 million in supplies to people in desperate need — both here in the U.S. and around the world. For every $1 in donations, Gleaning For The World can provide $100 worth of critical, life-saving supplies where they are needed most. We are committed to this mission.

While the average organization does well to show a financial model of 30 percent administration and 70 percent programs, GFTW consistently exceeds this benchmark, with the total cost of operations being less than one percent of the value of the service. This is one of the lowest in the non-profit world.”

Amazing! That’s God!!! He does exceedingly abundantly above and beyond what we can imagine or think. One man’s uncommon obedience to the call of the LORD has resulted in more than $300 million of supplies being delivered to desperate people. Now God has placed a desire in my heart to magnify the impact of GFTW 30-60-100 fold through LIFE coaching, Internet marketing, and POWER networking.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You for Ron Davidson and his uncommon obedience to You. Thank You for crossing my path with his. May You allow and empower me to magnify the impact of Gleaning for the World many fold. Bless those who read this message to take the message of mercy and compassion to heart. Bless them to slow down and think BIG! Thank You Jesus. Amen and hallelujah!

Links of the Day
History of Gleaning For the World
Stewardship – Gleaning For The Word

Blessings to be merciful to those in need!