“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.”
—Philippians 2:3
This is a really challenging word because the flesh is naturally selfish. That’s true for me, and it’s true for you.
To give you an example, consider this question. When you get hungry, do you eat for somebody else or for yourself? You eat for yourself. When you sleep, do you sleep for somebody else or for yourself? You see, by nature, the flesh is selfish; it seeks to provide for its own needs. And while on the earth we will always have an animal or fleshly nature. It is part of our makeup. This is true of all of us, but God is asking us to transcend the power of the flesh and our own naturally selfish disposition and practice serving other people, even though it might not feel good to us. Let’s remember, however, that just because it doesn’t feel good to us doesn’t mean it’s not the right thing to do.
Philippians 2:4 tells us to not look out only for our own interests but to consider the interests of others (NIV). God is calling us to operate at a higher level. So let’s step out of being selfish. Yes, we have to take care of ourselves, but let’s live for a greater purpose and put other people’s interests above our own when called to do so. Let’s bless and serve people. Let’s sow into others’ lives. Let’s go out of our way to speak to them in a way that will strengthen them. Let’s show them God’s love by doing little acts of kindness in His name. By doing these things, Messiah Jesus said you’ll be growing in His grace and be fruitful for His kingdom. The challenge I want to leave with you today is to practice putting other people first.
Father God, help me to lay aside selfishness and consider the needs of others. Push me out of my comfort zone to do what is right, whether it feels good to me or not. Give me the grace and the opportunities to serve others and make Your love and goodness known to them. Help me to look beyond my own wants and needs to see the hurt and pain in people’s lives. I ask, Yeshua, that You help me to be Your hands and feet in the earth.
Rabbi Kirt A. Schneider, Rivers of Divine Truth (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2021), Used by permission.
