Paying it forward...

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     "Paying it forward" is a popular phrase these days, and more of a popular practice now than in recent years, thanks to the movie, Pay It Forward, that came out in 2000.

     "Paying it forward" is just a slightly different take on the Golden Rule, found in the Holy Bible.

     I don't know where I heard this, but I once heard a preacher (on the radio) say that while the Golden Rule may be popular, it can't be found in the Bible. 

     Since I don't believe everything I hear, I looked up the verses in the Bible that would have to do with the "Golden Rule", and here's what I found:

Luke 6:31 "Do to others as you would like them to do to you."

Romans 12:14 "Bless those who persecute you.  Don't curse them; pray that God will bless them."

Hebrews 13:16 "And don't forget to do good and to share with those in need.  These are the sacrifices that please God."

Matthew 5:44 "But I say, love your enemies!  Pray for those who persecute you!"

Matthew 19:19 "Honor your father and mother.  Love your neighbor as yourself."

Galatians 5:14 "For the whole law can be summed up in this one command:  Love your neighbor as yourself."

     Those verses sound like the Golden Rule to me, or the principle of the Golden Rule! 

     I have got so much to learn in my life.  I do know, though, that practicing the Golden Rule has been of great benefit to me over the years.  I don't treat others kindly and lovingly in order to "get" something back from them.  I do it (or try to do it - I'm not perfect!) because it pleases God, and because it is the right thing to do.  No, righteous living won't earn me a place in heaven - it's only trusting in salvation from Christ that will do that - but it can certainly make life a lot easier for me here on earth to apply the Golden Rule as often as I can.

     I have an older neighbor who has become a part of our extended family.  She is such a dear friend.  She isn't a "grandmother" to me; she is my close friend, and I put great trust in her. 

     I like to think that she and I have a "pay it forward" kind of relationship with each other.  For a number of years, she insisted on paying me when I took care of her yard and pets when she was out of town.  When we got fish tanks a few years ago, and they would need food once or twice a day, she began to come over and help us out when we were out of town.  Finally, over the years, she agreed to no longer pay me for coming over to her house and helping out when she was on vacation. 

     Some people may think I am crazy to insist that she doesn't pay me, but because she comes over twice a day to open up or close the blinds, check on our cat, and feed the fish, (and soon to feed/take care of our guinea pigs!), I think it is a fair trade.  Being able to trust someone to take care of one's beloved pets is priceless!

     Because of difficulties she has had with her eyesight in the last year, I've driven her to and from the airport (an hour away), to a funeral (four hours away), and to eye surgery (two hours away).  She pays for my gasoline expenses and buys me lunch or dinner.  We enjoy each other's companionship, and it is a friendship of mutual respect and love. 

     I give her an older computer printer; she gives me a really nice set of computer speakers (big bass speaker - oooh, the girls are lovin' that!). 

     This mutual friendship with my neighbor is such a blessing!  She comes over to most family and holiday dinners with us, either at our home or my parents' home - they love her, too.  We don't love each other for what we can "get" from each other; we love each other and enjoy blessing each other with gifts and helping each other out.

     If more of our relationships were based solely on love, and not just what we can get out of the relationship, think about the level of JOY we would have in our lives! 

     Consider the Golden Rule - and "paying it forward."  They are two principles that will do much good in our lives here on earth. 

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