Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Luke 6:37-38
Written around 1603, William Shakespeare’s play Measure for Measure, which was intended as a comedy, also dramatically illustrates the Biblical principle of sowing and reaping. It tells the story of the duke of Vienna, who decides to test the reliability of his right-hand man by pretending to leave town, but secretly returning to observe what people do. Angelo’s corrupt nature quickly demonstrated itself as he imprisoned people on false charges and attempted to extort their family members. When the duke appeared before him disguised as a friar, Angelo’s lies and corruption were revealed to all, and he was sentenced to the punishments he tried to inflict on others.
Jesus pointed out that it is impossible for us to be judgmental, unforgiving, and put others down without receiving the same treatment in return. What we give to others will eventually come back to us. Our primary motivation in dealing with others is to obey God’s commands regarding how we treat them. “For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Romans 13:9).
But another powerful motivation for treating others rightly is the knowledge that we will reap what we have sown in terms of our relationships. There are no people who are perfect, but to the very best of our ability we should strive to give to others what we wish to receive from them. Jesus said, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets’’ (Mathew 7:12).
