How To Live By The Golden Rule

by Lester Rennard

Sometime ago I was sharing the biblical story of what we have come to call the Golden Rule with a group of elementary-age children in the children's story section of a church worship service. Before I shared the story, I asked the kids if anyone knew what the Golden Rule was all about. One little fellow about eight or nine years old quickly put his hand up and I placed the microphone to his mouth to hear his answer. With much poise and confidence, the young boy spoke up, "He who has the gold, makes the rule". The congregation erupted into uncontrollable laughter. When I recovered my composure, I remarked to him that he was already well on his way to becoming a very successful capitalist.

Since this article is most likely being read by others more mature and knowledgeable than an eight or nine year-old, I believe you're already acquainted with the non-capitalist version of the Golden Rule. It teaches that one must be willing to do for others what he would expect others to do to and for him. Jesus was sharing this concept with His audience after explaining God's willingness to give good gifts to those who ask, even moreso than how parents are willing to give good things to their own children.

How do you expect others to treat you in any given situation? What about your spouse, children, parents, siblings, in-laws, neighbors, co-workers, employer, creditors, debtors and your fellow worshipers? How do you desire for them to relate to you? Do you expect for them to be kind, respectful, considerate, loving, caring, accepting, thankful and affirming to you as warranted? The Golden Rule requires that the very same qualities that you expect to see in others as they relate to you, you should proactively express to them.

For example, as a parent, if you expect your children to show respect for you, you should be the one to set the example by relating to them with respect. If you desire your spouse to demonstrate a caring attitude toward you, you should establish that expectation by relating to that spouse in a caring way. If you wish for your in-laws
to be accepting of you, you should let that wish be known by demonstrating your acceptance of them. If you want your neighbors to be considerate of you, you should reinforce that desire by showing consideration for them.

Unfortunately however, most of us tend to 'put the cart before the horse'. We expect to see others showing us the consideration we think we deserve, before we are willing to act accordingly. We desire our spouses to prove their love and care for us before we are willing to show that we love and care for them. We want our children to first show respect for us before we give respect to them. We expect our fellow worshiper in the pew next to us to first show courtesy by speaking to us, before we are willing to demonstrate our Christian love to them by sharing.

How much better our homes, communities, places of worship, workplaces, nation and our world would be if we all take heed to the Golden Rule. The youngster at the beginning of this article was very much reflecting the reality of our global village.
He was defining the rule of the jungle rather than the Golden Rule since that rule gives power and control to the one who has the 'substance', and he gets to set the rules by which everyone else plays. He, however, is not obligated to play by the same rules he sets for others.

Jesus knew very well what He was talking about. To have peace with others, be the first to offer the olive branch. Whatever you desire or expect from others, be the first to offer to them. In so doing, you can justifiably expect a better home for your family, a safer community for your residence, a friendlier church in which to worship, a safer country in which to live and a kinder, gentler world in which to co-exist. Now that you know these things, go and do thou likewise.