I recently heard this on a conservative talk-radio station: Liberal compassion is getting more people on food stamps who can’t make enough money.

Conservative compassion is getting more people off food stamps by providing jobs so they can make enough money.

That message seems pretty clear, but is compassion really that cut and dry?

How are we to follow Christ’s commands about compassion as taught by Jesus in the Bible?

Consider these scriptures:

Matthew 5:42, “Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”

Luke 6:29, “If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also.”

Luke 6:31, “If someone takes your cloak, do not withhold your tunic as well.”

The answer to my question must begin with correcting the question.

It cannot be, “How do we follow Christ’s commands?” but rather “How do I follow his commands?”

I cannot proclaim how “we” can obey these words of Jesus when they are clearly directed to the singular “you.”

I can give to one who asks of me, but I cannot give away someone else’s money.

I only have one “other cheek” to turn--I cannot turn someone else’s!

Socialism changes the words of Jesus to be applied not voluntarily by an individual, but forcibly by the government.

America is by far the most benevolent country in the world when it comes to giving humanitarian aid.

Those we call “the greatest generation” (born between 1900 and 1920) are mainly responsible for America’s place of compassion in the world.

They were taught moral, conservative, and Biblical values.

To them, I say,

“Thank you!” But we are quickly losing that generation as they are now in their 90s or past 100 years old.

Pray for Americans not to lose our heart of compassion for the lost, the lonely, and the needy.

Next Week: Senior adult travel Dan Williams is the senior adult pastor at Lexington Baptist Church.