What does "gave them to the innkeeper" teach about stewardship and trust? Setting the Scene “ ‘Take care of him,’ he said, ‘and on my return I will reimburse you for any additional expense.’ ” (Luke 10:35) The Samaritan has already bound wounds, provided transportation, and spent a night nursing the injured man. At dawn he places two denarii—two full days’ wages—into the innkeeper’s hands and entrusts the ongoing care, promising to settle every remaining cost when he returns. Cultural Snapshot: Inns and Innkeepers • Inns were private homes adapted for travelers, not corporate chains. • Innkeepers earned thin margins; two denarii would likely cover at least two weeks of board. • Handing money over without written contracts showed uncommon confidence in the host’s integrity. Stewardship Lessons Wrapped in Two Denarii • Ownership Recognized: Psalm 24:1 reminds us, “The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness.” The Samaritan treats his money as a tool under God’s authority, ready to be reassigned to a suffering neighbor. • Proportionate Giving: He doesn’t bankrupt himself, yet he gives significantly. 2 Corinthians 8:12 affirms that stewardship begins “according to what one has.” • Planned Generosity: By leaving funds before departure and pledging future payment, he models budgeting for compassion. cf. 1 Corinthians 16:2. • Delegated Responsibility: He entrusts the injured man to a capable caregiver instead of clinging to personal control—an echo of Moses delegating judges in Exodus 18:13-26. • Accountability Promised: “On my return” shows intent to settle accounts, mirroring Christ’s words in Luke 19:15, where servants report their stewardship. Trust Lessons Carried by the Innkeeper • Trusting People: The Samaritan risks loss, believing the innkeeper will act honorably—illustrating Paul’s call to “believe all things” about fellow believers (1 Corinthians 13:7). • Trusting God: Open-handed giving reflects reliance on the Lord, not on stored coins. Proverbs 3:5-6 aligns: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart…” • Trust That Compassion Multiplies: By engaging another helper, the Samaritan extends care beyond his personal capacity. Ecclesiastes 4:9—“Two are better than one”—finds practical expression here. • Future-Facing Faith: He plans to return, confident God will provide resources to cover any added expense—paralleling Abraham’s faith in Genesis 22:5, “We will worship and then we will come back to you.” Practical Takeaways for Today’s Believer • Budget for mercy; set aside a “two-denarii” line item. • Delegate wisely—partner with trustworthy ministries and people. • Follow through on pledges; integrity undergirds stewardship. • Give before you see the entire invoice; faith anticipates God’s supply (Philippians 4:19). • Remember the Owner’s return; faithful stewards will one day give account (1 Corinthians 4:2). Living It Out The Samaritan’s simple act—“he gave them to the innkeeper”—compresses a rich theology of stewardship and trust. Money, time, and care flow freely when we hold resources as God’s, trust others with responsibility, and rest in the certainty that the true Owner will return to settle every account. |
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