Matthew 7:12 The Message
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" is
probably much more familiar to you as The Golden Rule. JFK paraphrased it for
Americans in his famous quote, "Ask not what your country can do for you.
Ask what you can do for your country." And a few decades ago, some smart
aleck re-wrote it saying, "Do unto others before they do unto you."
Unfortunately, it was and is a sign of the times.
So many times, I hear good people whining, "When is it my turn?" "Who is gonna take care of me?" If we stop navel-gazing, demanding that our needs be met, and look to see what we can do to help someone else, then we stop the vicious cycle of me, me, me! It's amazing how it works.
We've talked lots about paying it forward and random acts of kindness. Will some people take advantage of your generosity? Yes, unequivocally yes. They will, but they are not why we do it. We do it because it's the right thing to do - imitating our Father who pours rain on the just and the unjust. While there may be a handful who are greedy with it, there will be so many more who will appreciate what you've done, so you're planting good seed. And the truth of the matter is that they're not taking advantage if you're offering it up anyway.
It's a rule-of-thumb guide for all our behavior. What would you like to reap in your life? You don't plant cotton and expect to harvest corn, do you? Are you planting the seeds that will produce the harvest you desire? There's the real Gold IN the Rule.
Prayer:
Father,
Thank You for the gifts You put in our lives. May we always remember how much You love us and then act accordingly. Help us to live each day by Your every Word, imitating You in both Word and deed. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
So many times, I hear good people whining, "When is it my turn?" "Who is gonna take care of me?" If we stop navel-gazing, demanding that our needs be met, and look to see what we can do to help someone else, then we stop the vicious cycle of me, me, me! It's amazing how it works.
We've talked lots about paying it forward and random acts of kindness. Will some people take advantage of your generosity? Yes, unequivocally yes. They will, but they are not why we do it. We do it because it's the right thing to do - imitating our Father who pours rain on the just and the unjust. While there may be a handful who are greedy with it, there will be so many more who will appreciate what you've done, so you're planting good seed. And the truth of the matter is that they're not taking advantage if you're offering it up anyway.
It's a rule-of-thumb guide for all our behavior. What would you like to reap in your life? You don't plant cotton and expect to harvest corn, do you? Are you planting the seeds that will produce the harvest you desire? There's the real Gold IN the Rule.
Prayer:
Father,
Thank You for the gifts You put in our lives. May we always remember how much You love us and then act accordingly. Help us to live each day by Your every Word, imitating You in both Word and deed. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
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