Theme: THE GOLDEN RULE
Text: “But whoso had this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” – 1 John 3:17,18
Comment: The practice of the golden rule no doubt makes one a better person, enables one to live a peaceful and happy life, and makes for relatively peaceful and stable communities. God will certainly reward individuals who are so disposed. It is a contradiction in terms for a person to say he is serving God whereas he cannot find it in his heart to do good to his fellow human being. Those who have the opportunity and the means of helping their neighbours should not fail to do so, particularly when the help is most needed. Solomon the prophet admonished: “Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, God, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.” (Proverbs 3:27,28). Those whom God has blessed materially should try as much as possible to do good and show love by helping the needy or less privileged. By so doing, they are keeping to the law of God as contained in the Holy Bible. Apostle Paul, in his letter to Timothy, enjoins Christians to ensure that “they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate, Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” – 1 Timothy 6:17-19.