The traditional Christian standard of care rests on Christ Jesus' parable of the good Samaritan. The parable's message provides a theological basis for supplying physical care to one in need. The lawyer whose questions elicited Jesus' illustration had summarized the way to obtain eternal life by quoting the Mosaic law: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself." Jesus approved this statement.
Then, in answer to the lawyer's question, "Who is my neighbour?"See Luke 10:25-37. the Master presented the parable of the good Samaritan. But from his approval of the lawyer's summary, it should be clear that obedience to the second command— loving our neighbor—logically requires obedience to the first—loving God. The Christian ministry of care rests on divine help. Through our worship of God we receive spiritual sustenance and gain the strength to aid another.
In God's perfect creation, harmony is perpetual. God's care is His own perfect loving of all that He has made, providing infinite good. The spiritual understanding of divine Love calls forth human aid that is imbued with the power of God.
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