Living and giving lavishly

Therefore, because God is so generous to us, we’re to be lavishly generous to others.
Who has been “lavishly generous” to you?

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two women sitting on the floor with open Bibles

Exploring the Golden Rule from

the Sermon on the Mount

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 7:12 ESV

The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®). ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

 
 
 
 

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 NIV

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

LIVING AND GIVING LAVISHLY-www.watercresswords.com- exploring the heart of health with faith, hope and love
What the late Reverend Billy Graham said about the Golden Rule, from his book

The Journey-How to Live by Faith in an Uncertain World 

“How different our lives would be if we actually practiced this!

Instead of ignoring people or treating them harshly, we’d handle them with respect and kindness.

Instead of manipulating them for our own purposes, we’d help them achieve what is best for them.

We’d also try to see life through their eyes. Most of all, we’d point them to Christ, for the greatest gift we can offer anyone is His salvation.”

(from Chapter 21-When Others Disappoint)

Other books by Billy Graham (these are affiliate links used to help this blog share the HEART of health)

Life Wisdom: Quotes from Billy Graham

The Enduring Classics of Billy Graham
Understanding the Golden Rule from desiringGod.org 
 
“The word so indicates that Jesus’s teaching is his conclusion from what he’s said previously. The entire Sermon on the Mount might be in view.
 
But it may be that Jesus is thinking more specifically of what he has just said, in Matthew 7:7–11.
 
‘Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
 
For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
 
 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?
 
 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!’
 
 
 
 
There he tells his followers that God is their loving Father and always gives good things to those who ask.
 
Therefore, because God is so generous to us, we’re to be lavishly generous to others.
 
The Golden Rule is glorious overflow.”
 
 
 
Read  the rest of Stephen Witmer’s  article at desiringGod to find out
 
Three Things Jesus Didn’t Say

Does this make you think differently about the Golden Rule, what it means, and how it plays out in your interactions with others?

Who has been “lavishly generous” to you?

Who have you helped to “achieve what is best for them”?

FAITH LOVE HOPE- words created with letter tiles
These three remain, faith, hope and love, and greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 graphic from LIGHTSTOCK.COM, affiliate

 

 

exploring the Golden Rule

In another post based on Matthew 7 I wrote

” She thought about a young man she knew whose life had gotten “sidetracked”, and suddenly realized her negative attitude toward him wasn’t helping. As she began thinking about him in a more positive way, she saw ways that his life could be turned around that she had not considered before. Her new attitude seemed to create an ability to see a new vision for his life that she hadn’t been able to before. “

continue reading at

5 unexpected rewards by ditching a critical spirit

Author: Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.

As a family physician, I explore the HEART of HEALTH in my work, recreation, community, and through writing. My blog, Watercress Words, informs and inspires us to live in health. I believe we can turn our health challenges into healthy opportunities. When we do, we can share the HEART of health with our families, communities, and the world. Come explore and share with me.

10 thoughts on “Living and giving lavishly”

  1. So many people today have the golden rule backward. They say (or act like) do unto others as they do unto me. That’s not biblical, and it’s certainly not what Jesus did while He was on this earth. Let’s follow His lead! Great post! Thanks for these reminders.

    Thank you for linking up at InstaEncouragements!

    Like

    1. Thanks for asking Callene. My maiden name is Cress, and when I found out that is a word in the dictionary I was intrigued . Watercress is one of several types of cress, edible green plants that grow near water and are nutritious. Water is vital to health. So since mine is a health blog, Watercress Words seemed to fit in several ways.
      Your blog is new to me and I will review it. My grandchildren also have special needs, so I understand something of your journey.
      Thanks for stopping by.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Interesting. My Grandmother used to make me sandwiches with watercress but I have rarely heard it otherwise. It brings back fond memories.

        Liked by 1 person

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