Equity seems to be a big motivating factor that moves people to help. People that lean into this motivating factor often will do so based what they like to believe is a quote from the Bible, “doing unto others as you would have them do unto you.” That is a great thought, but the verse goes this way,
"Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.” Luke 6:31 (NASB). We should all base our decisions to help or not to help on this premise.
The current book I am reading makes references to reciprocity and social capital theories. Both of these ideas mention that we should help others after they have helped us, or that we should help others with the expectation that they will help us. These models are based of good-good relationships.
The Biblical model is not only based on good-good relationships, it entails every type of relationship.
Back up a few verses and we see this point illustrated,
27"But I say to you who hear, (AD)love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
28bless those who curse you, (AE)pray for those who mistreat you.
29"(AF)Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either.
30"Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.
31"(AG)Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.
32"(AH)If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
33"If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
34"(AI)If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount.
35"But (AJ)love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be (AK)sons of (AL)the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.
36"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Luke 6:27-36 (NASB)
The Bible teaches we are to help (to do good) to others no matter who they are, or what they can do for us or to us. Luke makes an assumption in writing this passage, and he implies to do good to those we care about is expected. It is not an optional thing to help those we care about. Then he goes on to say that a true Christian helps everyone they can based on living their lives as close to God as possible.
What about just helping because it will benefit us?
Shouldn’t we help because we are not selfish?
What about helping because it is polite, or we feel empathetic?
Does the Biblical teaching override all of these reasons in your life?
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