Overcoming Selfishness

Sunday, February 17, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

Philippians 2:1–4

It’s easy for us to fall into being selfish and caring only about ourselves. We may recognize the needs of others, but often we do not respond by doing anything that will help make a difference. We want to hoard what we have and focus on ourselves, but that is not God’s plan. The Christian life is meant to be outward focused. This kind of living not only is obedient, but it produces great rewards in our own lives when we care about and give to others. Booker T. Washington said, “I think I began learning long ago that those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.”

If we are focused on the needs of others and looking for ways to meet them rather than to avoid them, we will live like Jesus did. When thousands of people gathered to hear Jesus preach, the disciples wanted to send them away at the end of the day so that they would not have to deal with finding some means of feeding them. Jesus, however, had compassion and worked one of His greatest miracles by multiplying the lunch of one little boy into enough food for the entire crowd.

Today's Growth Principle: 

We cannot say we are living as Jesus did unless our lives are characterized by concern and compassion for others.