Price of Compassion

The other day, I came across a heartbreaking story of a fisherman who was arrested for selling meth to feed 30 stray animals he had grown to love.

At first glance, it sounds like something out of a twisted movie plot. 

Compassion turned crime. 

Love gone wrong. .

But it stirred something deep in me because compassion is powerful, but also... tricky.

When we love deeply, whether it is a child, a parent, an animal, or even a stranger, we feel this burning desire to do something, anything. And when we feel powerless or inadequate, that’s when we’re most vulnerable to temptation. Sometimes, we try to play God. We justify shortcuts. We say, “It’s for a good cause,” and turn a blind eye to the means.

But true compassion isn't reckless. It’s rooted in love and trust in God.

Two moments from Scripture came to mind.

The first is when Jesus saw the hungry crowd following Him. 

“He had compassion on them” --Mark 6:34. 

The disciples were ready to send the crowd away. But Jesus? He took five loaves and two fish, looked up to heaven, and miraculously fed over 5,000 people—with 12 baskets of leftovers. (Matthew 14:13–21)

Compassion, partnered with faith, led to abundance.

The second is when Peter, upon meeting a beggar at the temple gate, didn’t hand him silver or gold. He didn’t say, “Let me find a quick way to help you.” Instead, he said:

“I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” -- Acts 3:6

And the man was healed.

That’s the heart of Christian compassion. It’s not always about fixing the problem ourselves. It’s about trusting that when we show up with love and prayer, God shows up with power.

Compassion isn’t meant to lead us into sin even when the reason feels noble. That’s a dangerous lie. Because when we step into sin “for a good cause,” we’re saying, God’s way isn’t enough. But the truth is, His way is always more than enough.

We don’t need to sell meth to feed strays. We can pray, share, rally others, and trust God to multiply our small efforts just like the loaves and fishes.

Let our compassion be the doorway, not to desperation, but to divine intervention.