Courtesy means treating other people with politeness. In order to work or play happily together, we need courtesy. Here are five important rules of courtesy. You may know them already, but because we are human, we need to be reminded of such things often.
Rule One. When you enter a small group, greet each person in the group by name. You might say hello to them and give them a smile. This shows that each person is worthy of respect.
In God’s eyes, you are precious, not worthless. He knows your name. In fact, He knows everything about you. Because He loves you and wants you to be with Him forever, He sent His own dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, into this world to die for your sins. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever [believes] in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)).
Rule Two. Before asking anyone for something, use the word please. The word please comes first, not last, as if it’s an afterthought. Use the word please many times a day.
Did you know that God wants you to ask Him for good things? He is the greatest Giver. The best gift He wants to share with you is the gift of eternal life. He says, “Ask, and it shall be given you” (Matthew 7:77Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: (Matthew 7:7)).
Rule Three. When someone does something for you, say “Thank you.” Say it when somebody cooks for you, does your laundry or goes to work to earn money to provide for your needs. Say “Thank you” if someone gives you a gift. Say “Thank you” as often as you can.
After a person comes to the Lord Jesus, they should say “Thank you” to God many times a day for all He has given them and done for them. He loves to hear us say “Thank you.” “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:1515Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. (2 Corinthians 9:15)).
Rule Four. Instead of interrupting a conversation, wait your turn to talk. When others stop talking, you can say what you have to say. Say “Excuse me” if you must interrupt. If we don’t do this, it is easy to come across as disrespectful.
The God who made you, made you able to choose. He lets you make choices about your life. However, since He is so great and loves you so much, He may interrupt your life with something hard if you don’t listen to Him. I hope you won’t make Him do that! “Today if [you] will hear His voice, harden not your hearts” (Hebrews 3:1515While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. (Hebrews 3:15)).
Rule Five. When you leave any group, say “Goodbye.” People like to be treated like people and not just an object or a thing. Saying “Goodbye” means you know they are there and you care about them.
Someday, if Jesus doesn’t come first, each one of us will have to say “Goodbye” to the people we love. But because of what the Lord Jesus did, those who trust Him will be welcomed home to heaven, and someday they will see again all those they love who love Jesus.
Sadly, when people who haven’t believed on the Lord Jesus as their Savior die, they will say “Goodbye” to friends, family and all things pleasant one last time before they are sent away to hell where all is dark and miserable. There will be no friends in hell.
If you follow these five rules of courtesy, I think you will have a happier life. However, if you want to be happy for all eternity, the one thing you must do and not leave undone is to trust Christ to be your Savior.
Messages of God’s Love 6/29/2025