What are your thoughts about this situation?

A wealthy middle-aged Christian man was sitting in a church foyer happily oil painting on a Sunday afternoon. His life is excellent and, for the most part, it always has been.

A poor, suffering, unhealthy Christian man who didn't know if he would be living on the street in a week came up and admired the painting. The painter asked him how he was doing. Being an honest man, the poor sick Christian answered that he wasn't doing well and didn't know if he would make it. He told the painter something of the serious and difficult struggles he was going through.

The painter was offended that his comfort had been interrupted with the problems of his suffering Christian brother who he basically "blew off" at that point. The poor suffering Christian ambled off to take his problems elsewhere. The painter went back to painting.

I know both men and witnessed this event recently. What are your thoughts?

the painter- has no heart.

Was the painter interrupted more by the man, or by the promptings of the Holy Spirit that the painter did not wish to hear?

This just proves just how dead some churches are today. Absolutely no unguency for the lost, its all fun, and games, painting, pot lucks,parties,etc,,no concern what so ever for the lost and dying.

Now this poor Christian was looking for love and help, the man painting was looking to himself and his comfort, probably because the church teaches you get saved IN your sins, you remain a vile person, and Jesus took your place on the cross, AKA penal substitution, and moral transfer.

That is why this man blew off the poor Christian,most churches do this, but many do a lot of good works, helping the poor, giving food and money, volunteering their time,etc,,BUT here in lies the problem, they are putting a small bandage on a huge cancer!

Jesus said many will come to me, and say, Lord, Lord, didn't we do good works in your name? And you know the rest of the verse, He will say depart from me, you workers of iniquity!

The church is still defiled, sold under sin and corruption!

All the good works in the world will not save a soul, only the truth,which is forgotten today,this man painting had no concern for this mans soul, and yes its good to give to the poor and needy, but what about bringing them the message that will cut them to the heart, and fall on their face in brokenness and humility before God, who is waiting patiently for the world and dead church to repent,stop sinning and follow Jesus on the narrow road.

Jesus came to heal the sick, not put a bandage on a large wound!

The heart must change first through real repentance and faith proven by deeds,before the church will see just how poor, blind and naked they are!

the painter sounds like he has issues idolatry of himself, or as previously mentioned, didn't like the conviction of the Holy Spirit at work.

The wealthy middle-aged man lacks genuine compassion and empathy... I'm almost embarrassed to point it out, cause I'm sure he feels bad about it deep down, if he's got any compassion at all.

Probably nothing personal toward the poor unhealthy guy, but a shame nonetheless.

Thank you for your comments. Enough of you align that something should have been done by the painter for me to accept that as the majority view. Plus, your insights are really good.

I was surprised that nobody pointed a finger at me asking if I did anything to help the poor sick suffering man so allow me to answer that yes, I did.

Any other comments are appreciated. Peace.

One last thought. I would also add that I think it's brave for all of you to answer as you did. The reason I think that is because when we answer as you did, there is some responsibility involved to "not be the painter."

For, if we deliberately act the same way after judging it as falling short then we are both falling short as the painter did but also being hypocritical.

Which, leads to another point. We all fall short sometimes and have to repent and rely on God's grace.

As a result, I don't really have a problem with the painter's response if say he had been burned badly in the past and was now being confronted with a stranger he had zero idea about and was simply frightened and being protective of himself and his family.

Or, if he just fell short in this one instance but rose to the occassion in other instances.

What I have a problem with are wealthy healthy blessed Christians that act this way as their normal response when confronted with dramatic suffering in a genuine Christian who is a member of their church when they know the suffering brother or sister has a good heart and would only try their best.

These are the "painters" that get me down.

My answer was because I have been the painter.

And I have been burned very badly in the past.

I have also been the man.

you never know the painter might have been taken advantage of in the past. or just because he seems to have an excellent life does not mean he does we should not judge or look down upon him. you must pray for both men.

on a personal note being someone who always has giving spirit , compassionate , Christian i have been taken advantage of in the present and past , it seemed like everybody had a story, can you help me, i need, can you pay my bill for me and i'll pay you back, pan handlers pick me out of a crowd , even family members have taken advantage of me so i don't judge other people when they for whatever reason choose not to help

my first thought- reminds me a little of the rich man and Lazarus in the bible.
my second thought- watever happened to bearing one another's burden? its by loving one another we show that we are Jesus' disciples.

I can remember being asked to do something once and feeling very inadequate. If I would direct that needy person in the proper fashion, would that be an adequate response? I cannot be what everyone needs. I can only do so much.

I believe, without knowing more, the painter was wrong for not taking just a minute or two to help in some small way. Even if the painter had asked someone else's help for this person, I believe that would have been fine. I cannot judge because I am not perfect. I do think the folks being asked to do the work should be praised once in a while at services. They should be prayed for publicly by the whole congregation.

It doesn't take much to feel appreciated.