"And they taught, and did minister one to another; and they had all things common among them, every man dealing justly, one with another."
How Should We Treat Others?
A devotional reading of 3 Nephi 26:19
Not quoting the full verse, but safely summarize its heartbeat:
The people who received Christ’s teachings immediately turned outward — they taught, they shared, they lifted, and they did it together.
From that single movement, we can draw a clear, communal answer to “How should we treat others?”
1. We Treat Others as Co‑Heirs of Light
Christ’s pattern in this chapter is simple:
He gives truth » we receive it » we pass it on.
There is no hierarchy of worth.
No inner circle.
No spiritual elite.
"and did minister one to another"
Benevolence as the heart of ministering
To “minister” is to move with benevolence — the quiet, steady goodness that reflects God’s own heart. Scripture shows this pattern again and again:
▪︎ The Samaritan who “had compassion”.
▪︎ The father who “had compassion” and ran to
meet his returning son.
▪︎ The Savior who prayed, “Father, forgive
them” even while suffering.
▪︎ The call to “be ye kind one to another”.
▪︎ The reminder that God “giveth to all…
liberally”
(James 1:5).
▪︎ The charge to “esteem [our] brother as
[ourselves]”.
(D&C 38:24).
These are not isolated moments — they form a single, covenantal rhythm:
God gives » we receive » we extend.
If Christ trusts us with His words, then we honor others by treating them as equally worthy of receiving light, dignity, and belonging.
2. We Share What We Have Been Given
"they had all things common among them"
The people in this verse didn’t hoard spiritual experience.
They didn’t protect it, privatize it, or turn it into status.
They all shared.
"And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift."
They all spread goodness outward.
"And from that time forth they did have their goods and their substance no more common among them."
They all taught.
"And they began to be divided into classes; and they began to build up churches unto themselves to get gain, and began to deny the true church of Christ."
This tells us that our discipleship is never complete if it stops at our own hearts.
We treat others with generosity — not only with resources, but with patience, time, attention, and spiritual encouragement.
3. We Create Spaces Where Others Can
Grow
"they had all things common among them"
"But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:"
The verse describes a community where learning becomes mutual.
Everyone is lifted because everyone is included.
So our calling is not to impress others, correct others, or outpace others.
Our calling is to make room:
▪︎ room for questions
▪︎ room for weakness
▪︎ room for returning
▪︎ room for becoming
When we create space for others to grow, we mirror the way Christ created space for us.
4. We See Each Person as Someone God
Is Already Teaching
"they had all things common among them"
The people in this verse didn’t act as if they were the source of truth.
They acted as stewards, not owners.
That means:
▪︎ We approach others with humility.
▪︎ We assume God is already working in
their lives.
▪︎ We treat them with reverence, not
suspicion.
"But it is not given that one man should possess that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin."
This posture keeps us from pride and keeps our hearts soft.
5. We Build a Community Where
Goodness Multiplies
"they had all things common among them"
The verse ends with a picture of multiplication — goodness spreading, truth expanding, hearts awakening.
"And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them."
This only happens when we treat others with:
▪︎ kindness
▪︎ openness
▪︎ shared purpose
▪︎ covenantal unity
When we lift one another, the entire community rises.
Summary for Our Hearts
3 Nephi 26:19 teaches us that receiving Christ always turns us outward.
We treat others with generosity, humility, and reverence because we are all walking the same path of becoming.
We share what we’ve been given.
We create space for growth.
We build a community where goodness multiplies.
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