I have found that when I honor and respect people, it comes right back. I don’t have to ask for it.
If I treat people with dignity, they treat me with equal dignity, usually.
If I am graceful and merciful, I am given grace and mercy back.
If I am open and honest, my relationships with people will be open and honest.
If I value people and they know I value them, they rightly value me.
If I am generous with people, it’s infectious and it unlocks generosity in them.
If I love people unconditionally, I am loved.
BUT… If I demand these things from people it is often only given as lip service, possibly under duress, or given in order to comply with the culture I have created by my demanding and overbearing ways.
This is true in our own homes, our educational institutions, our business, our social circles, and our churches.
Jesus said, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:37-38) Very often this second verse is used in the context of giving money BUT the context is human relationships, not money. (How sad that this verse is used so often to talk about money, and then not used in it’s proper relational context)
How we relate to people comes back to us. What we give to people relationally comes back. It is given back in good measure, pressed down, shaken taken together and running over. God pours it back to us. It could be called a relational law, one that God has instituted.
If you want grace in abundance, mercy, dignity, honor in abundance in your life, truthfulness in relationships, give it first. Spread it around generously, be lavish, don’t be shy.
