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The Golden Rule Demands More than We Think

The Golden Rule Demands More than We Think

Last updated on: October 15, 2026 at 5:13 pm by Larry Jordan

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The Golden Rule Demands More than We Think 2026-10-15T17:13:25-05:00 Larry Jordan

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Everyone is related, and everything is connected. That sets a high standard for us. Many traditions, including Christianity, do NOT only concern us and our relations with our families and friends. So we should NOT only treat others as they treated us. And we should NOT only share a small portion of our abundance with others.

If you suffered in life and want other people to suffer as you did because 'you turned out fine,' you did NOT, in fact, turn out fine. Image by Gemini/AI-generated, in the public domain

If you suffered in life and want other people to suffer, too, because ‘you turned out fine,’ you did NOT, in fact, turn out fine. Image by Gemini/AI-generated, in the public domain

The Golden Rule

In The Way, I discuss two different forms of the Golden Rule. In its weak form, the Golden Rule suggests we treat others as they treated us, regardless of our circumstances. And in its strong form, the Golden Rule suggests we treat others as they would have treated us, allowing for any differences in our circumstances.

Recently, I saw a meme that makes this point clearly: “If you suffered in life and want other people to suffer as you did because ‘you turned out fine,’ you did NOT, in fact, turn out fine.”

After 25 years in the finance business, I have a pretty nuanced view about issues like student loan forgiveness. On the one hand, I believe that people should repay their loans, and I repaid mine. On the other hand, I appreciate that forgiving loans can be good business, and it can be the fair thing to do.

If I repaid my loan and someone else did not, our lenders treated us differently. But was I treated unfairly? I signed a contract, and I honored it. They signed a contract, and the lender forgave it. To me, it was unfortunate my lender did not forgive my loan, but it was NOT unfair. Our circumstances were different.

In the Gospel of Matthew, the vineyard owner in the parable of the workers says, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?”

Sadly, some conservative Christians mistake this parable as an endorsement of capitalism or as a recognition that the wealthy may do as they please.

The Rich Young Man

For 500 years, Catholics have believed (like James) that we are justified by faith and works, while Protestants have believed (like Paul) that we are justified by faith alone. Jesus addressed this issue in the Gospel of Mark. He never mentioned justification by faith and works, or by faith alone. In fact, Jesus established a MUCH higher standard:

“Sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”

The rich young man could NOT bring himself to sell his possessions, give to the poor, and follow Jesus. I saw myself in that man, and I wondered whether my lifestyle was as important to me. (Remember that we live in a world where median earnings are less than $2 per day. For someone who lives in the United States in the 21st century, how much is “enough?”)

Eventually, I quit my job, sold my house, and followed Jesus (the man, NOT the God). Jesus’ words and works inspired me, NOT because of any hope for an afterlife or any sense of religious duty. And I thought that my Catholic friends (who went to Mass every week) and my Protestant friends (who accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior) chose MUCH easier and more limited paths.

Sometimes people ask me if I expect everyone to quit their jobs and sell their houses. I do NOT expect anyone to do anything, and I know that most people are unable or unwilling to do so anyway. But if we are living one interconnected life, we are living for others, NOT only for ourselves or only for our family and friends.

Sadly, some conservative Christians mistake this commandment as a particular instruction to one greedy individual.

Am I “A Good Christian?”

Sometimes, people tell me that I am “more Christian than most Christians,” even though I am NOT a Christian. I take it as a compliment. And I hope they mean that I love my neighbor as myself. Of course, I know that being a good Christian and being a good person are NOT always the same thing. And that NOT all good Christians are good people.

Sadly, since 2016, Christians have advocated banning Muslims, building walls, marginalizing LGBTQ+ people, separating families, taking away people’s healthcare and waging wars.

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The Way received a 2024 Nautilus Book Award.

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I do NOT use artificial intelligence (AI) in my writing. I write, review, and edit my own content.

All assertions, interpretations, and opinions are my own, unless otherwise noted.

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About Larry Jordan

Larry Jordan is a follower of Jesus with a Zen practice. He wrote “The Way,” informed by the Eastern religions, the mystics, and the quantum physicists. "The Way" won a 2024 Nautilus Book Award. You can read more about the author here.

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