What is the Biblical basis for "Do Least Harm" or "Do Greatest Good"?

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What you're asking about is called "Situational Ethics"

Many people arguing for situational ethics use Matthew 12:1-8 as an example. Key verses from that.

Matt 12:3-6 (NIV)

3 He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?

4 He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests.

5 Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent?

6 I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.

In this case, it shows that in some situations, we need to apply the laws with consideration.

The idea of situational ethics is that we should do whatever results in the greatest amount of love. That idea comes from Matthew 22:35-40 where Jesus says that the second greatest command is to love your neighbor as yourself.

For more reading, Here is a long article.

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When I read "Do Greatest Good", I was reminded of The Golden Rule:

Matthew 7:12

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

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