The Golden Rule or the Silver Rule?
by Candyce Carden @CandyceCarden
My generation learned it as children. A framed inscription of the words may have hung on the walls of a classroom or in our grandmother’s kitchen.
The Golden Rule is easily one of the most well-known Bible verses. The Scripture was printed in red, and as kids, we knew the red words in the Bible were spoken by Jesus. Important words.
The full version, as presented in Matthew 7:12 NIV, reads:
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
The Golden Rule is not only known by Christians but is considered a sound principle for living among many groups. But before Jesus spoke these famous words in the sermon on the mount, a lesser-known rule existed. It’s often referred to as The Silver Rule. The two rules are similar, but different.
The Silver Rule
Do not do to others what you would not want them to do to you.
While the golden rule is proactive and calls us to action, the silver rule is passive, containing the negative terms do not and would not. Jesus taught the silver rule does not go far enough. We can’t simply strive to avoid evil; we must also do good.
Jesus illustrates this in “The Parable of the Good Samaritan” (Luke 10:30-38). In the parable, a priest and a Levite crossed to the other side of the road to avoid the bloodied, half-dead man on the ground. The two men followed the silver rule. They didn’t rob or injure the man, after all.
Jesus illustrates this in “The Parable of the Good Samaritan” (Luke 10:30-38). In the parable, a priest and a Levite crossed to the other side of the road to avoid the bloodied, half-dead man on the ground. The two men followed the silver rule. They didn’t rob or injure the man, after all.
The parable continues with the Samaritan walking along the same road. The Samaritan stopped, bound the hurt man’s wounds, and took him to an inn to continue care for him.
Jesus ends the parable with the words, “Go and do likewise.”
The silver rule is about avoiding doing bad, but Jesus calls us to do more. Simply avoiding evil deeds is insufficient. Say you never receive a bill for a service you contracted. The business owner simply overlooked sending the invoice. After waiting a couple of months, what should you do? The silver rule suggests it’s okay to do nothing. It’s not your fault the bill never came. You would pay it if you received it. Do you “accidentally on purpose” forget about it too?
You know the answer. Jesus calls us to live by the golden rule: “Do to others what you would have them do to you.” In everything. Put yourself in the position of the contractor. What would you want your customer to do? I’d want to be paid!
Proponents of the silver rule are at work today. Sociologists and psychologists claim growing numbers of people are living by the silver rule. Reasons cited include the diversity of our communities; isolated lifestyles; and the current element of fear infusing our world.
Jesus does not desire us to live by the silver rule. He instructs us to be active doers rather than passive bystanders. His words call us to action. Let’s allow the Spirit of God to lead us to the good works He created us to do.
Wishing you a November filled with love and gratitude.
Your thoughts and insights are always welcomed. Feel free to leave a comment below or reply by email to this blog post.
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I’ve never heard of the silver rule, but I can see how prominent it is in our society. Honestly, it can be the path of least resistance. Going the extra mile can be just plain hard. Jesus calls us higher. When I was a kid, we heard about the golden rule all the time, in school and Sunday school and at home. You don’t hear it that much anymore. I think we need to start a Golden Rule campaign! Great post, Candyce.
That’s a great idea, Terri. A lot has changed since we were kids which means we have to fight all the harder to get the message of Jesus out there!
“Do no harm.” Yeah, I think you’re right that society often considers that to be enough.
But Jesus’ story about the Good Samaritan shows such extravagant concern for another. Messy, dirty, expensive, maybe bringing chaos into your own life. May we be sensitive to the Holy Spirit to walk in those good works that have been prepared for us. I am not called to meet every need I become aware of, but God wants me to have a heart that is willing to do whatever He asks.
Thanks for your insight, Barb. I’m reminded to pray and heed the Spirit’s leading as to the needs I can best meet and to accept that I cannot meet them all.
I had never heard of the silver rule but it certainly seems to be in common use in society these days. Thanks for sharing Candyce and I hope to always follow the golden rule.
Yes, we find lots of examples of the silver rule in the world. It’s a way of playing it safe but not quite how Jesus instructs us to live.
Blessings to you.
I had never heard of the silver rule, Candyce, but I really like the distinction you draw here. I’m challenged by your message. Thank you!
Thanks, Annie! May your holidays be blessed!
Enjoyed your post and learning something new, Candyce. I’d never heard of the silver rule. Thank you!
It was new to me also. But of course, we both know the golden rule and that’s the important one to know. Hope you’re having a beautiful fall in Tennessee!
Blessings!
Thank you for clarifying the difference between the Golden Rule and Silver Rule and for encouraging us to emulate Jesus in which behavior we exhibit. Another wonderful example of His love and compassion and how to be more like Jesus. Thanks for sharing a blessing through your message.
Jesus is the gold standard to emulate, isn’t He? Thank you, Katherine to being a blessing to me.
I had never heard of the silver rule, so I appreciated your comparison of the golden rule to the silver rule, and the important difference between the 2. Thank you, Candyce.
Thanks, Kathy. Thanks for reading the post.
What Ms. Lisa said. The golden rule requires us to put our faith into action. I like that thought ma’am. Thank you for sharing this distinction with others. I know folks in both camps, sadly. I’ll keep praying for them though.
And keep praying we must do. I know how you lament the current fear and anxiety in the world. We have to silently give our burdens to God, as your post says this week. Over and over again.
Candyce, I haven’t heard of the ‘Silver Rule,’ description. Thank you so much for highlighting that Jesus told and showed us what to do and not do as His followers.
It was a new concept for me too, Jackie. I learned it first appeared in the book of Tobit, but the story behind it was never verified. Thankfully, Jesus makes His word clear to us.
I’m in Destin, Fl on a business trip this weekend and it’s frigid down here. But I’ll bet your temperatures up north are much lower than the mild 33 degrees it was last night. The wind blowing off the water creates a big wind chill, though. Stay warm!
Gold is more precious than silver as are the words of our Savior more precious than the worlds words! His thoughts are always higher than ours and with a higher purpose. Thanks for sharing Candyce.
Well said, Lisa! Thanks for your valuable input, wise one.
Candyce, I have never heard of the other way of thinking as the Silver Rule. Thanks for making that distinction, and for pointing out how Jesus changed everything and taught us to do right.
Me either, Barbara, until I came across an article about it. It apparently goes back to the days of Confucius. What concerns me is the modern day enthusiasts for the practice. Satan at work.