by esther phinias | 4 July 2021 08:46 pm07
One day, as I was walking, I met a woman with a child. She approached me and kindly asked for 1,000 shillings to take a bus home to Chanika. I happened to have the money, so I gave it to her. It seemed like a simple act of kindness — nothing extraordinary.
But not long afterward, I boarded a bus myself and suddenly remembered: I had no more cash on me. The conductor came to collect the fare, and I nervously checked my pockets. Nothing. I did have money on my phone, though, so I told him, “I don’t have any cash right now, but once we reach the station, I can withdraw and pay you.”
Unfortunately, he didn’t believe me. His expression made it clear — he thought I was just making excuses.
I began to worry. My stop wasn’t even at the station; I would have to get off earlier. Would the conductor be willing to wait while I withdrew the money? Probably not.
Just then, something unexpected happened. A young man — clearly someone who didn’t have much — pulled out 1,000 shillings and gave it to me. “Take this,” he said. “The conductor will give you a hard time otherwise.” I protested, “It’s okay, I have the money. I’ll pay once we get to the station.” But he insisted. He gave freely — not out of abundance, but out of compassion.
That experience shook me. I realized something powerful: we often assume that only the needy require help, but even those who seem secure may find themselves in unexpected moments of need.
Just minutes before, I had helped a woman with the same amount of money — now I was the one in need. This is the divine principle of mutual dependence. None of us is entirely self-sufficient.
Theological Reflection
Scripture consistently teaches that our lives are deeply interconnected. The Apostle Paul writes:
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2 (NIV)
We are commanded to support one another, not just in times of extreme hardship, but in daily, practical ways. The help we give today may be the same help we need tomorrow.
You may be walking confidently today — with your car, your bank account full, your health intact — but remember, these blessings are not permanent. The same wind that brings favor can shift unexpectedly. As the writer of Ecclesiastes puts it:
The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course.
Ecclesiastes 1:6 (NIV)
Life is cyclical. What you have today, you might lack tomorrow — and vice versa. You could be wealthy and still experience hunger. You could be healthy and yet fall ill. You could be educated and still find yourself in situations where you feel utterly ignorant.
Jesus Himself modeled and taught radical generosity. In Matthew 25:40, He says:
Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
Matthew 25:40 (NIV)
The young man on the bus didn’t just give me money — he ministered to me in the spirit of Christ. He lived out the Gospel.
A Call to Humility and Compassion
This experience reminded me that we are all stewards, not owners, of what we have. God blesses us so that we can bless others:
Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
1 Timothy 6:18 (NIV)
We should never assume that because we’re “secure” today, we’re above the needs of others. True Christian maturity is marked by humility — the recognition that everything we have is by God’s grace.
May we never let pride or self-sufficiency keep us from helping others. Instead, let us be quick to give, slow to judge, and always ready to serve, because someday, it might be us who need a helping hand.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Matthew 5:7 (NIV)
Prayer
May the Lord teach us to walk humbly with one another, to extend kindness without hesitation, and to be faithful stewards of His love and resources. And may we be the kind of people who reflect the heart of Christ — giving even when it’s inconvenient, trusting that God will meet our needs as we meet the needs of others.
Shalom.
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2021/07/04/we-will-always-need-each-other-a-theological-reflection/
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