Do to others as you would want them to do to you

How would you feel if a vendor kept serving other people, but was not the least bothered about you? How would you feel if you were made to wait near the shop until others had been served? – and only because you did not seem as wealthy as them. Anyone would feel offended; perhaps not an elder so much as a girl of 17 or 18 who feels it very painful when ignored by others because she is not as wealthy, smart etc.

Yes, I witnessed a situation such as this in a bakery: two boys at the shop, one serving only those who bought in large quantities and the other not concerned about a girl’s requirement, as he heard her asking for just one item. People were coming and going, but the girl – still waiting. I noticed that she was grieved because of being ignored; she couldn’t help dropping silent tears. I felt so sorry for her. Indeed, that was the moment I understood how much more respect and concern those receive in a society if they are wealthy or bold or intelligent, but these things, of themselves, are of no value. Proverbs 11:4 says, “Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death”. The poor girl had to wait until others had been served. I couldn’t imagine how much agony she felt in her heart.

That situation made me think of measuring people by their standards. I thought, if I’m friendly with those only who have good looks/ money etc. I can’t be a part in Christ’s body. By doing so I not only hurt other people’s feelings, but I myself will be considered unworthy to enter the promised land. Remember always, that how we treat others, the same way we will be treated: “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15); “For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 6:38).

Let us imagine what would happen if Jesus, who is perfect in every way, says to us at the Judgment, ‘All those who are pure and blameless, come with me to the paradise of my father’. Well, I think that will be the time for us to weep like the girl who was ignored at the bakery, if we don’t try to follow Christ now. The girl was ignored because she wasn’t wealthy according to worldly standards, whereas we will be ignored if we aren’t wealthy according to godly standards.

Sis Bernadin B. (Mandya, India)


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