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Poquito Más
For over thirty years I worked for a corporation where the “home office” was located in Los Angeles. I never liked going there but went because it was my job. The city was never comfortable to me, having lived my life in much smaller places. Often I would work an extra-long day to fill the time and then make my way through the labyrinth of streets, strange people, and traffic to the hotel. Favorite dinner was takeout from a little place on Cahuenga Boulevard in Studio City called Poquito Más. Arriving after dark, I would park in the dimly lit lot and then scan my surroundings for scary people lurking in the night. Like I said, a small town boy. Then I would make my way inside where the food and people were warm and friendly.
One evening as I approached Poquito Más, a man drew near through the shadows. He was oddly dressed, unkempt, looked as if he was down on his luck. Our encounter was brief, but the memory still lingers. He wasn’t threatening. He only asked for money. Presuming this to be a ploy so he could buy booze, I quickly declined and escaped the awkward moment by slipping into the restaurant. As I stood in line waiting to order, something made me turn to discover the same man standing close behind me. He was in the company of a gentleman who did what I should have done. Instead of brushing the unfortunate beggar aside, this “Good Samaritan” brought the poor fellow into Poquito Más to buy him a meal. My conscience burned as I came to realize that my brief opportunity to act had been lost. Perhaps the kind gentleman who helped this beggar was a brother in Christ, but I’ll never know. What I know is this, he acted as a Christian should act, and I didn’t. I had the opportunity to do good to someone in need, and I did not. Perhaps the lessons we learn the hardest, the most grievous, are those that last longest.
“‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when
did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we
see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to
you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ “ Matthew 25
In this scene of the judgment, Jesus tells us that how we treat our fellow man matters. Our Savior is no longer on this earth, so we have no opportunity to show him human compassion, but his disciples, our brothers and sisters, are in our minds and in our presence daily. We have occasions to do good deeds for them. Galatians 6 tells us, “As we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
I used a term common to today’s vernacular to describe the man who showed me how to act from a heart of compassion. Let’s read the origin of the term in Luke 10:“a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”
So what can we learn from God’s word and the story of a long ago evening in California? I say we follow the apostle’s plea to the Galatians: “do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Let us first apply these principles at home where the opportunities are greatest. How can I… how can we live our lives like the apostle Paul urged Titus? “I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable...”
SIX STEPS TO GOOD WORKS
- Prepare your heart – become kindhearted. Jesus was moved by compassion and went about doing much good. We must do the same (Matt. 10:24-25). We are to be kind, tenderhearted, and merciful to those who are in need. “Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12
- Watch for your opportunity to serve – train your eyes to see, your mind to recognize the needs of those who need your help. Consider this: in future days to come, it may be you…you who will be the one in need. Pray that your brother in that hour sees your need…and acts. But for now, pray for opportunities to serve your brother or sister in this present day. “But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve," Mark 10
- Overcome your discomfort – don’t listen to negative thoughts spoken by the little naysayer on your shoulder who places doubts swirling through you head such as: “I don’t know him that well…What would I say?... I’ll let someone else take care of her…They’re better at that sort of thing than I am… I’m busy.” Chase stinking thinking away by saying: “if it is to be, it is up to me!” Or, “Lord, I haven’t done this before, but with the strength you provide, we’ll get it done.” “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another… as one who serves by the strength that God supplies... 1 Peter 4:10-11. When you see an opportunity to serve, ask yourself, “if not me, then who?”
- Act on your compassion – don’t be lazy. Good intentions easily fade with procrastination, delay. The earnest endeavor of a Christian, however, is fruitful, made of gold, lasting. Good intentions don’t get it done; only action counts, and we will be judged for our good deeds. “We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.” Ephesians 2:10
- Expect nothing in return – the Samaritan in Luke left a blank check with the innkeeper. Your reward isn’t in gratitude or repayment; it’s in doing the good deed. And be certain of this, the satisfaction you’ll gain will be worth much more than the sacrifice you make. “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap,” Galatians 6:9
- Teach others to do the same – by your words, your actions, by your example which will bring glory to God (Matt. 5:16). Don’t just tell your brother what to do, show him how it’s done…not promoting yourself as a servant, rather by you being a servant. “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works,” Titus 2:7
The Lord expects us to try! The parable of the talents in Matthew teaches that we are all given different abilities. God does not expect the same performance from each of us, but He demands that we use the talents we have been given. Success is found in doing your best with the opportunities presented.
Poquito más in a language more familiar to many of us means “a little bit more.” Let us pray over these matters, and perhaps if we each try to do a little bit more, the collective effort will be mucho más…a lot more! “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Danny Pickett
