Treat Them

I Timothy 5 says Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

Once we’ve been treated with His love and forgiveness, then we are to treat others.

With what?

Honor, exhortation, as brothers and mothers, as sisters, and with purity.

When we are in the presence of others, we are to offer them treats…blessings…sweets.

In other words, we offer honor to others – not scorn or ridicule.

When we learn to treat others as members of our family, giving them the status and privileges that come with being related, we are offering them a fine treat instead of a trick.

When we treat our friends with condemnation, discouragement, and when we disregard them and devalue their worth, we are offering them a trick.

And pretty soon, they won’t be coming around to our door anymore…they will go elsewhere…where they are welcome and received.

What’s in your treat basket for neighbors?  Is it full of sweets or sours?