Rich Rewards from the Golden Rule - Part 2

Every major religion has some form of the Golden Rule. Islam states: "No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself." Jesus commanded that we love our enemies and do good unto those who unjustly treat us. To do so is to put aside hate, anger, and fault-finding.

Robert Southey explains how he managed to develop values and comfort that have sustained him throughout his life. "In my youth I remembered my God, and now He has not forgotten me in my old age." When godly values are wrecked by the pursuit of a career, material goods, or anything imaginable, the Golden Rule must be reinstated in your life.

What's at issue is simply caring for others. Hudson Taylor provides this witness. "I used to ask God to help me. Then I asked that I might help him. I ended up by asking him to do his work through me." This attitude gave him a new direction and purpose.  

Examine Your Choices: Consider the Cost - Part 1

Dr. R. G. Lee’s sermon, "Payday Someday," warns us there’s a cost linked to our choices. For those who choose Christ Jesus, a crown of righteousness is stored up and waiting. Jude 11 speaks to those who exist outside of God's favor. "Woe to those who take the way of Cain, motivated by greed and rushing straight into Balaam’s blunder."

Balaam and Cain shared a common problem. Although God spoke to each one personally, each rejected His guidance, love, and kindness, choosing instead to satisfy his own greedy, sinful attitudes. Each rejected God’s way to live.

God’s Word encourages us to follow in his plan of righteousness for he will compensate for what is lost financially, emotionally, or socially.  An ancient hymn from the Dead Sea Scrolls declares, "By his righteousness my sin is blotted out.  If I stumble because of weakness, my justification is certain in the righteousness of God, so by his loving kindness and mercy I am secure." God’s rewards are worth more than any earthly possession.