James 2:15-16 (NLT)
Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?
The book of James stresses practical Christian behavior. Practical Christian behavior means exactly what it says----practicing (doing) what Christ-followers are supposed to do. The Bible teaches that Christians are supposed to show compassion and act, not sit back and do nothing. To feel compassion is not enough, you have to practice compassion in actually doing something for others in need. As Pastor Scott proclaimed, “the test of compassion has to be action”.
I recall an experience that showed me the difference between feeling compassion and doing a compassionate act. I was alone on a business trip to Florence, Italy where I arrived in Florence around midnight. I did not have Italian (lira, at the time) currency with me that I only realized when I was standing in line at the taxi location. An American couple was in front of me who said that they could exchange their liras for my dollars but would need to get change with the taxi driver. I felt so relieved because of this promise of compassion. Yet, when a taxi arrived for this couple they jumped into the back seat without saying anything to the driver first and the taxi took off. The feeling of compassion for me did not translate into an act of compassion. Several taxis would not take me because the drivers couldn’t understand English until finally a driver could understand and was willing to wait on me while I got currency at the hotel where I was staying.
James asks (I am paraphrasing), “What good does it do to see a person in need, understand his need, feel sorry for him, say nice words to him, yet walk away and do nothing?” This is lip service, false or phony compassion, and nothing else. Nothing good results from feeling compassion. You have to show compassion by your actions, that’s when the good, according to God, occurs.
This passage reminds me and can me feel guilty over my non-responsiveness when I see on TV or hear on radio or read something about the poor and needy throughout the world. In some cases you really do not feel compassion for peoples and countries you know nothing about. So there’s no false compassion in this case. However, other cases you find yourself paying more attention, being moved by the dire needs of people and countries and nations, yet how do you respond? Do you respond with time, energy, and/or money or to you respond as James above is writing about?
The main point of James’ practical teaching here is “don’t be a slacker when it comes to being compassionate”. Being compassionate is not only feeling, but action. These verses are part of the same chapter where James writes that “faith without works is dead”. What compassionate actions have you done lately? Who is God calling you to help? Don’t just sit there, do something! What gives your life true meaning and purpose, that in turn gives your life happiness and joy, is directly related to what acts of compassion you do for others.
"If there is any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not deter or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again." - William Penn
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