I was watching my 600 lb life and something in me said talk about caring for others. We as people need to start thinking of others before we think of ourselves.
Jesus came to this world, but not to think of Himself, but to serve others. If Jesus came to serve others, then why is it that we think it is ok to think of ourselves and put our needs first.
Mother Teresa is a well known person who put the needs of others before her own and did so with strength and grace calling suffering a gift from God. Some criticized her for how she spent or did not spend the money she was given on the poor and saying she was not a friend of poor, but the reality was she lived like those she served. Somehow people think that money cures all things, but the reality is God can cure anything if He so desires, but when you serve another god, then He is not so inclined to help. It does not mean He does not love you, but He is willing to let you suffer to make you understand.
Philippians 2:4 New International Version (NIV)
4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
1 John 3:17-18 New International Version (NIV)
17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
There are many Bible verses on serving others and if you are a Christian, then do as God has told you. If you are unwilling to serve others, then I have to ask why?
I remember the movie “Blind Side”. In that movie a lady who was fairly wealthy takes in a rather large young black man. The family comes to love this new edition to their family throughout the movie. There are some ups and downs throughout the movie, but in the end everything works out. While this was just a movie based on real life events, think if the lady had been so selfish that she decided to care only for her needs. Yes she was wealthy and could afford this, but that does not mean you cannot do the same.
Think of how the much better we would all be if we went of our way to serve and help others. This does not mean that we provide for everyone of their needs and in return they just sit back and collect like the Federal Government is trying to do, but rather we are showing them love and at the same time introducing them to Christ.
I pray if you are having a hard time getting over the saying “Take care of number one”, that you seek God and let Him know you are sorry for acting this way. It is something I grew up with and needed to get over. I will not say that I am 100% there yet, bu I get better each day. I pray you too will start serving others before yourself.