Outdo

Luke 6:31 ESV

Luke 6:27-31 ESV

Romans 12:10 ESV

It seems like the biblical concept of putting others first and honoring another person has fallen out of favor in the modern world.

As a am a boomer, born about in the middle of my generation, I never actually thought of my generation being the first generation that primarily thought of self first.

Growing up I was taught by my two parents born in the Silent Generation to “do unto others as  you would have them do to you”. I came to understand that other people will respond in kind. They will treat me the same way I treat them. The scriptural reference is found in Luke 6:31 and it says, “And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”

In Seminary I was trained to always dig in and look at the broader context of a scripture. Luke 6:27-31 says, “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”

Baby Boomers born between 1946-1964 have been called by some the first ME Generation. In an article written in 1976, journalist Tom Wolfe wrote about the boomers and called them the “ME Generation” (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/when-comes-baby-boomers-still-all-about-me-180953030/).

For our specific purposes I wanted to look at these verses from another perspective so I turned to theologian Matthew Henry who wrote a great commentary beginning in 1704. His commentary is still referenced today. When looking at Luke 6:32-33 he wrote, “To love those that love us has nothing uncommon in it, nothing peculiar to Christ's disciples, for sinners will love those that love them. There is nothing self-denying in that; it is but following nature, even in its corrupt state, and puts no force at all upon it (v. 32): it is no thanks to us to love those that say and do just as we would have them. "And (v. 33) if you do good to them that do good to you, and return their kindnesses, it is from a common principle of custom, honour, and gratitude; and therefore what thanks have you? What credit are you to the name of Christ, or what reputation do you bring to it? for sinners also, that know nothing of Christ and his doctrine, do even the same. But it becomes you to do something more excellent and eminent, herein to out-do your neighbours, to do that which sinners will not do, and which no principle of theirs can pretend to reach to: you must render good for evil;" not that any thanks are due to us, but then we are to our God for a name and a praise and he will have the thanks.” (https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/mhc/Luk/Luk_006.cfm).

In the 1700’s doing unto others was still a concept neighbors well understood. Notice that Matthew Henry wrote to “return their kindnesses, it is from a common principle of custom.”

He called doing unto others a common principle.

Boomers were raised by parents who were from the Silent Generation. They understood great sacrifice. My dad served as a mechanic with the U.S. Navy onboard a ship in the Pacific Ocean. My Mother’s older brother was in the Navy as well. My Mother was 17 years old when the war ended but even today she remembers rationing and sharing what they had with friends and neighbors. She said everyone was welcome at their table anytime.

They knew and openly practiced Paul’s words written in Romans 12:10 where he said, “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”

Outdoing others and showing honor to another was and is what God intends.

The Hebrew brothers in the First Century understood the concept.

However, when the Gospel message started to spread beyond Jerusalem and Judea they would have learned doing to another as they do to you and outdoing another by showing them honor also referred to Gentiles.

Therein lies the difficulty.

Culturally Jews may have been taught to regard other Jews well. But Gentiles were not part of their brotherhood.

Paul needed them to understand that all people were loved by God. All people mattered.

Gentiles mattered.

When Paul wrote these words to the church in Rome, his statement telling them to honor another referred to Gentiles.

So…going back to the current ME Generation.

The generation that follows the boomers has been called Generation X, born between 1965 to 1980 and they’ve been referred to by some as the the ME ME Generation. They are the babies of boomers. Three of my children were born in 1976, 1978, and 1979. They are currently classified as Gen X’ers. My youngest child was born in 1983 and he is from generation Millennial.

Time Magazine has called Millennials the ME ME ME Generation (https://time.com/247/millennials-the-me-me-me-generation/). According to the article referenced Millennials are by far the largest and the most Narcissistic generation. I don’t know that I totally agree with that, but you can decide for yourself based on what you’ve noticed.

It stands to reason that the Biblical concept Paul wrote about in Romans 12:10 of loving others and outdoing others with honor could be a challenge for Millennials if narcissism is a factor. When we do know is that Paul’s words are certainly needed and are relevant today.

Having said that, I know that my Millennial child is in a position of leadership where honor is certainly given when honor is due. I know my child serves the team well. He thinks of them.

When I studied Leadership in Seminary (that was my major area of study) we were taught that great leaders (Biblical and Current) love one another and generously honor others.

That gives me great hope for this generation and for generations that follow. The saying that ‘everything that goes around comes around’ comes to mind.

Spiritual Practice: Honor Others

Love another as Christ loves you. Generously outdo honor and give it away.

In Jesus, Deborah

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