Home > Online Magazine > Online Magazine: Edition 27 - February/March 2009 > Do Unto Others (by Mary Turbet)

Do Unto Others

by Mary Turbet

Do Unto Others - Various ways of helping others

A couple of years ago this poem was printed in our church bulletin and it really impressed me. It is called Forget and Remember and was composed by Priscilla Leonard.

    Forget each kindness that you do
    As soon as you have done it.
    Forget the praise that falls on you
    The moment you have won it;
    Forget the slander that you hear
    Before you can repeat it;
    Forget each slight, each spite, each sneer
    Wherever you may meet it.

    Remember every kindness done
    To you whate'er its measure
    Remember praise by others won
    And pass it on with pleasure;
    Remember every promise made
    And keep it to the letter;
    Remember those who lend you aid
    And be a grateful debtor.

    Remember all the happiness
    That comes your way in living;
    Forget each worry and distress,
    Be hopeful and forgiving;
    Remember good, remember truth,
    Remember heaven's above you -
    And you will find through age and youth
    True joy, and hearts to love you.

I think most of us would have been brought up on the text, "do unto others as you would that they should do unto you." Jesus went about doing good and reaching out to everyone. In our lesson book for 16 May, there were two quotes from Ellen White. The first was:

"Jesus saw in every soul, one to whom must be given, the call to his kingdom. He reached the hearts of the people by going among them as one who desired their good. He sought them in the public streets, in private houses, on the boats, in the synagogue, by the shores of the lake, and at the marriage feast. He met them at their daily vocations, and manifested an interest in their secular affairs. He carried his instruction into the household, bringing families in their own homes under the influence of his divine presence. His strong personal sympathy helped to win hearts."

The other quote was:

"Christ's method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with people as one who desired their good. He showed his sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then he bade them, `Follow me'. "

Who do we look up to -

those in the entertainment area?
those who have made it in the financial world?
in the sporting field?
in the academic field?

OR what about Bill Gates of Microsoft fame, who has made millions and who now is giving away millions to alleviate poverty and hardship;

OR do you look up to people like Fred Hollows whose influence has carried on long after his death and certainly his efforts will continue into the future and will help people with eye problems.

Bill Gates used his brains and now is able to give away a fortune or two. Fred Hollows used his brains to become a doctor and was able to use his expertise in overcoming a form of blindness. So you will see that there is more than one way of giving - of doing unto others

Most people in this world, do not come into the category of Bill Gates or Fred Hollows but there are those things which we can do in our own little corner. A phone call to check how people are getting on - a friendly word - sharing things.

In Matthew 5:44 Jesus tells us to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." While in Proverbs 25:21-22 we are told to feed our enemy and give him water to drink "and in doing this you will heap burning coals on his head and the Lord will reward you." We have plenty of evidence that Jesus wants us and expects us to take care of each other.

In his letter to Romans 12:9-10, Paul says, "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honour one another above yourselves." Moffatt's paraphrase of these two verses is "Let your love be a real thing, with a loathing for evil and a bent for what is good. Put affection into your love for the brotherhood; be forward to honour one another."

Jesus said, "In as much as you have done it to the least of these my people, you have done it unto me." Matt.25:40

Very often it is the little things that count. Probably you have forgotten all about it, but the recipient of your kindness has not and such actions can have a tremendous effect on others.

As I have said before and will say again. Always remember that whatever you do or say, will have an effect on someone, either for good or for evil. Make sure that you are a good influence.

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