Doing Unto Others

At an after-school Bible study, Johnny Bickle recites Jesus’ command to do to others what he would want them to do to him. He understands the words but not how to practice them. Whit encourages him to watch for opportunities to help, leaving Johnny determined to put the Golden Rule into action immediately.

Johnny first discusses the idea with Linda, but their conversation becomes tangled with plans for a formal Sunday-school party. Linda concludes that Johnny has invited her to ride with him and agrees enthusiastically. Officer Harley then gives Johnny a simple explanation: since Johnny knows what he likes and how he prefers to be treated, he should treat everyone else the same way.

Taking that advice literally, Johnny gives Linda a calculator because he would appreciate help with spelling and assumes she must want help with mathematics. Linda hears only an insult about being in the lower math group. She angrily rejects the calculator, his help, and their plans to attend the party together. Johnny is bewildered that his kindness has caused harm.

Connie explains that the Golden Rule is not a bargain in which Johnny does favors so others will repay him. She believes it means helping people without expecting anything in return, just as Whit regularly does. Remembering that Whit recently said he sometimes misses television, Connie and Johnny decide to buy him one.

At Big Ed’s Appliance City, the owner praises every set they consider and immediately reverses his opinion whenever they find a fault. He finally reduces the price of a small television to one hundred dollars. Johnny contributes his seventy dollars in savings, and Connie pays the rest. They proudly present the wrapped television to Whit as thanks for everything he does for others.

Whit deeply appreciates their generosity but cannot keep the gift. He once watched so much television that other work went unfinished, so when he opened Whit’s End he removed every set from his life. Johnny is crushed. Treating people as he wants to be treated has made them angry, and giving without expecting repayment has produced another unwanted result.

Whit assures Johnny that obedience is still worthwhile even when the outcome is confusing. Scripture sometimes tells believers what to do without detailing every method or guaranteeing a visible reward. Their responsibility is to love God, obey Him, and trust Him with the results. Officer Harley happily buys the television for his own family, allowing Johnny and Connie’s sacrifice to benefit someone after all.

Linda later apologizes and renews their plans for the party. She accepts Johnny’s offer to help with mathematics and offers to help him spell, partly because the card with her calculator misspelled her name. Johnny’s attempts have been clumsy, but patient friendship and faith begin turning his good intentions into genuine care.