SUNDAY March 1, 2026
Are You Compassionate?
...for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.
Hebrews 10:34
Paul the Apostle suffered persecution; he was imprisoned for the sake of the Gospel. He mentioned how the Hebrews had associated with him in his tribulation. They had compassion on him while he was in chains. Interestingly, they did not have pity, but showed compassion. There is a big difference between these two words.
Pity means “having a sympathetic sorrow for someone who is suffering or distressed,” whereas compassion means “being sympathetic of a person’s distress and doing something about it.” Compassionate people will go into action to alleviate another person’s suffering.
As the Hebrew believers associated with Paul and were companions of other Christians, they came under attack; their possessions were plundered. Yet they remained joyful. Why? Their eyes were on eternity. They trusted God, knowing there would be a heavenly reward.
Do you remember what Jesus said to the multitudes about earthly treasures? “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).
People have a tendency to be selfish and spend money on treasures for themselves. They may feel pity toward the suffering, but they are not moved to compassion. If you see someone in distress, how beautiful it is to show them compassion and see what you can do to alleviate their pain and suffering. When you do, you are storing up treasure in heaven. Think about it: Jesus did not just pity us when we were lost in our sin. He showed us compassion. He did something about it; He went to the Cross.
If you would sum up the whole character of Christ in reference to ourselves, it might be gathered into this one sentence, “He was moved with compassion.”
~C.H. Spurgeon~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
