Living The Golden Rule.

"So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." Matt. 7:12.

A fascinating study on the principle of the Golden Rule was conducted by Bernard Rimland, director of the Institute for Child Behaviour Research. Rimland found that “ those whose activities are devoted to bringing themselves happiness…are far less likely to be happy than those whose efforts are devoted to making others happy. The conclusion is simple, the happiest people are those who help others.” Each person involved in the study was asked to list ten people he knew best and to label them as happy or not happy. Then they were to go through the list again and label each one as selfish or unselfish, using the following definition of selfishness: a stable tendency to devote one’s time and resources to one’s own interests and welfare—an unwillingness to inconvenience one’s self for others.” In categorizing the results, Rimland found that all of the people labeled happy were also labeled unselfish and all labelled unhappy were also labelled selfish.

He wrote that those “whose activities are devoted to bringing themselves happiness...are far less likely to be happy than those whose efforts are devoted to making others happy” Pursuing the happiness of others is a profound reflection of Christ's love. The Bible encourages believers to look to the interests of others and serve them through selfless actions. “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”  Phil. 2:4 (ESV) We are clearly instructed to put others first and actively seek the good of our neighbours. By building others up, we obey the second greatest commandment. This may seem quite difficult for many believers because by nature human beings are quite self centered. But as believers, we are called and commissioned to walk and live differently.

When you help carry someone else's emotional, spiritual, or physical weight, you put Christ's teachings of love and sacrifice into active practice. Making sacrifices to do good and share with those around you is a pleasing act of worship that honours God. Serving others is equated with serving God directly. When you show kindness to others, especially the vulnerable, you are effectively blessing the Lord. Serving and pleasing your neighbour builds a healthy, loving community. The goal is to build up others so they can grow stronger in faith. The Bible illustrates a spiritual principle of reaping what you sow. When you bring joy, blessing, and refreshment to others, God ensures your own soul is refreshed. Selah!

FURTHER READING:

“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” — Prov. 19:17 (ESV)

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” — John 13:35 (ESV)

DECLARATION: 

Dear Abba Father, I thank You for the gift of life and the privilege of salvation. Thank You for Your endless love and grace toward me. Today, I ask for the strength and wisdom to live out the Golden Rule—to treat others exactly as I would want to be treated. Open my eyes to see the people around me through Your eyes. Give me the empathy to understand their struggles, the patience to listen, and the courage to show kindness, even when it is difficult. Help me to put aside my own selfishness and actively look for ways to be a blessing to others in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:

Psa. 70:1-5.

Psa. 71:1-24.

Psa. 72:1-20.

Psa. 73:1-28.

QUOTE FOR THE DAY:

“If You Can't Take It, Don't Give It."