So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12
“You’ve heard of the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Jesus taught that. But Paul upgrades that to the Platinum Rule: Do unto others as Jesus has done for you: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). Those who have experienced the gospel develop an uncontrollable impulse to be generous and an insane ability to forgive.”
J.D. Greear in “You Aren’t the Good Samaritan” blog post dated 24 April 2017.
I got to spend a little time fly fishing with Sammy at park we had never visited on Wednesday evening. I shot the new header photo just before sunset just before I caught my first walleye on a fly rod.
It was small, and yes I released it. Remember, every fish I catch is a gift from God, and every fish I release is my gift to the next angler.
Regarding today’s post, I used to think that going platinum was when a musical artist sold a certain number of records. Based on this comment from Greear, brought to my attention from Daily Meditations reader Pat Warbington, our generosity and kindness goes platinum when it follows the pattern set forth by Jesus.
Whose example are you following? Most people follow cultural patterns (and most of the time they do this unknowingly).
My prayer for readers everywhere is that God would give us “an uncontrollable impulse to be generous and an insane ability to forgive” so that we look like Jesus to the watching world. But be prepared. The religious establishment may try to silence you in the process. That’s precisely what they did with Jesus.
The biggest roadblock to “the generous life” may not actually be ungenerous people. It may well be “the giving life” that gives without sacrificing because it simultaneously focuses on preservation of place and comfort in the culture.
Such people specifically ignore the radical nature of the teachings of Jesus. In particular, they rationalize disobedience with regard to storing up earthly treasures.
Remember the example of Jesus. He gave His life out of love and compassion for the world and did not have a place to lay His head.
Let’s live “platinum” because its Jesus to whom we will someday give an account.