Command 18 : Do Unto Others | Day 123

Consider the Connection!

The command to do to others what we want them to do to us begins with the word therefore. This word gives us a signal to consider the connection between the thoughts that precede it and those that follow it. In this case, the passage reads: “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them” (Matthew 7:11-12).

Love is giving others what they need even when it is different from what they want.

Because God fully understands us and loves us as a father, He deals with us according to our needs, not according to our wants. We must demonstrate this same kind of love to others. Parents often miss this important point when dealing with their children. As a result, children often get what they want rather than what they need.

When sons and daughters want permission to make independent decisions, wise parents will teach them that they do not have the authority to grant their children this freedom. (No one is free to make independent decisions. Even Jesus did nothing of His own will, but only what His heavenly Father directed Him to do.) Parents can then take the opportunity to teach their sons and daughters how to discern God's will in each decision. (See John 6:38.)

When a friend asks you to loan him some money, you can explain, "If I loan you money, I will turn you from being my friend into being my servant, because the borrower is servant to the lender. I do not want to make you my servant, so let me determine if God wants me to give you the money as a gift. Meanwhile, please tell me the actual needs you are facing.” (See Proverbs 22:7.)

A person who wants to borrow money is usually more in need of wise counsel than of more money. Therefore, loaning him more money may only cause him to become more entangled in financial problems and pressures. By giving him wise counsel on how to organize his spending and how to live within his means, we can deal with the root of the problem.

We will learn how to treat others as we consider the wise, loving, and practical ways that God deals with us.

Doing unto others what we want them to do unto us must not be merely a calculated strategy to get what we want for our own personal ambitions. Rather, it should be a means of connecting people with the love and truth of God so that He can meet their deepest needs. If this is our goal, then we are ready to follow this command. Let's ask God for His wisdom on how to demonstrate His love in our dealings with others.