“When it is in your power, don’t withhold good from the one to whom it belongs.” (Proverbs 3:27)
The Golden Rule is a principle that can be found in many cultures and other religions. Even Jesus commanded that “whatever you want others to do for you, do the same for them” (Matt. 17:12). Rewind through hundreds of years before Jesus’ time on earth when his descendant Solomon was encouraging his readers to do the same.
While the Golden Rule is well known and often quoted, in reality, we do not often treat others the way we would like to be treated. Instead, we can find ourselves trying to take advantage of others or pushing them to the side. We do not love our neighbors as ourselves (Lev. 19:18). In God’s point of view this is detestable and wicked (Prov. 3:32-33).
In contrast to our natural inclination, Jesus never refused to do good to anyone. He healed diseases, cast out demons, and even raised the dead. But although those were amazing things, it doesn’t compare to the ultimate good that he did for us on the cross. Although fully God and deserving all glory, he became a sacrifice for us and bore the punishment that we deserved for our sins. One of the blessings that we receive through faith in Christ is that the Holy Spirit is constantly at work changing our hearts to become more like Christ’s. Instead of just thinking of ourselves, we desire more and more to serve others.
God promises in verses 32 and 33 that he is a “friend to the upright” and “blesses the home of the righteous”. It is important to remember that this righteousness does not come from our own strength, but it is rather a gift of God. Let us do good to others not because we can get something out of it, but rather, it honors and glorifies God.