YEA Lesson Library

The Lesson

In 1980 gold sold for $850 an ounce. That’s a lot of money for a very small amount of a yellow lustrous metal. But it’s a rare metal that is pleasing and workable. It does not tarnish or corrode. It’s also a good conductor of electricity. Like many other elements, gold is widespread in small amounts in all igneous rocks.

Fortune seekers rushed to Sutter’s Mill, California in 1848 to discover gold. According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Frontier camps and towns, ruled by grass-roots democracy, grew rapidly, and died as quickly once the gold supply was depleted.”

Down through history people have been fascinated with this precious metal – even Israel of old. While Moses was up on Mount Sinai receiving the law, the Israelites asked for a god they could see. So Aaron had them take off their gold earrings for him to mold their jewelry into a golden idol shaped like a calf.

The years between 70 BC and 18 AD were called the Golden Age because of literary achievements during those years. The Gold Coast is a section of the Guinea Coast of Africa. A gold cup is given to the winner of a motorboat competition in the United States. There’s the Golden Gate Bridge in California. And there’s the Golden Gloves amateur boxing competition. Bracelets, necklaces, rings, watches and other fine jewelry are made of gold. Even the cups and furniture in Solomon’s Temple were made of gold. This expensive metal plays an important part in our culture and society.

“All the Gold’s in California” was a popular song a few years back. But that’s really not true because there is gold in the code of conduct – The Golden Rule. Just as gold excels all other metals, this rule of conduct exceeds all other codes of conduct. What does it say? “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 TLB). How can this greatest code of conduct make a difference in your life and the lives of others? Let our Savior tell you.

Crowds of people came from Jerusalem, and from all over Judea as far north as the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon. Jesus told them, “Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for the happiness of those who curse you; implore God’s blessing on those who hurt you.

“If someone slaps you on one cheek, let him slap the other too! If someone demands your coat, give him your shirt besides. Give what you have to anyone who asks you for it; and when things are taken away from you, don’t worry about getting them back. Treat others as you want them to treat you.

“Do you think you deserve credit for merely loving those who love you? Even the godless do that! And if you do good only to those who do you good – is that so wonderful? Even sinners do that much! And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, what good is that? Even the most wicked will lend to their own kind for full return!” (Luke 6:27-34 TLB).

Does this mean that you are to pray for people who curse you and ask God to bless them? Are you required to lend to people who will never pay you back? What would the world be like if all of us did this? Can you imagine a world where everyone spoke well of each other? Fighting would stop. Grudges would drop by the wayside. There would be forgiveness and broken relationships would be mended. Love would blossom everywhere.

We tend to think of God as we are. Jesus says you should try to show as much compassion as His Father does. He’s gracious, loving and forgiving. He’s not small minded and selfish. He sees the big picture and knows the results of forgiveness. He didn’t give us a cheap code of conduct, it’s made of pure gold excelling all others. The Christian walk requires you to be a good conductor of love as gold is a good conductor of electricity. A Christian must be pleasing and workable and not tarnished or corroded by ill treatment or bad attitudes of others. A Christian who will do this is as rare as gold. The person who will follow this code of conduct will be very precious in God’s sight! These are Christ like actions, for He is kind to the unthankful and to those who are truly wicked.

What’s in it for you if you take the heat, pray God’s blessings upon your enemies, turn the other cheek, and don’t expect friends or enemies to repay you for what you do for them? Luke 6:47 promises, “All those who come and listen and obey me are like a man who builds a house on a strong foundation laid upon the underlying rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against the house, it stands firm, for it is strongly built” (TLB). Does that sound like the Christian who believes and obeys God will have protection when things get rough? What kinds of floodwaters could rise and break in your world?

Our world is becoming more unsafe daily. Gun violence, cybersecurity threats, carjackings and theft, and other violent crimes are on the rise. Life hasn’t been very sure and comfortable many areas in the U.S. and around the world. In times like this don’t you want to find favor in God’s eyes? Don’t you want your house to stand firm?

God is looking for 24-karat gold character. He promises if you will give, “you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use to give – large or small – will be used to mea- sure what is given back to you” (Luke 6:38 TLB). WOW! What a promise to never forget! The Golden Rule truly excels all other codes of conduct. If you follow The Golden Rule, you’ll be worth more than $850 an ounce in God’s sight bringing a lustrous precious metal to those around you. Will it be easy? Probably not. But is it worth it to follow this code of conduct? Absolutely!