Goodness from God's Perspective

I’ve been thinking about the Good Samaritan in Jesus’ parable. I’ve found myself envisioning him as an almost non-religious character. A non-Jew or half-Jew who despite his tribe’s longstanding hate of the Jews, does the kind thing and stops to help someone in crisis. I missed the fact that Samaritans were also highly religious people, with their own version of the Torah and temple worship.  This Samaritan would have been an active participant in the worship life of his people. What makes the Samaritan good is not simply that he stops. It’s who he stops for. I see the Samaritan as someone who is a good steward of his life. He believes that all he has comes from God and acts accordingly. Thus to stop and help the enemy of his people is an act of generosity. Generosity gives me the courage to love my neighbor as I love myself. Generosity is my good use of those things God has entrusted me with. It is my response to Jesus' "Go and do likewise." Such generosity can only inspire an equally generous response from God. "Well done, my good and faithful steward." You see, goodness and generosity define us as God's stewards.