Selfish – Selfless

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking at your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3-4

I have been married to the love of my life for almost two years now. It has been wonderful, but there is a good lesson I want to share with you all. It is a lesson that I am still learning , and I believe it is a conscious choice we have to make everyday. What I want to talk about today is “selflessness”. Putting someone else’s needs before your own is difficult. Jesus was the ultimate example of this when He laid his life down for us. He paid the price so that we could attain eternal life with Him. We need to learn the lesson of being selfless.

Our culture is instilling selfishness to people everyday. All the world entertainment and media promotes the idea of “doing what’s best for you no matter what the cost”. To some extent, it’s okay to do things for yourself and mental health is very important. I understand that we need time to ourselves and do things that make us happy, but when do we get beyond that and become super selfish? We get caught up in buying so much for ourselves we miss out on budgeting to bless others in need, or we take so much time for ourselves that we forget that we need to reach out to others who are lonely and in need. We need to disciple others. Discipleship is selfless because it requires you to sacrifice your time and energy to help that person. Sometimes it might be constant counsel and communication to make sure that person is doing well and lifting them up as needed. Or making time to go out to have a coffee and chat with someone who just needs a friend. We cannot afford to be selfish in this life. We need to have dominion and trample the enemy. The enemy wants us to remain selfish so that we will forget to help others like the Bible says.

“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” Leviticus 19:18

The Lord commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves. It is plain but it is definitely not simple. We don’t always agree with people. We get annoyed with people easily. Even Jesus got upset with people and flipped tables. He walked the earth fully a man so He knows how people can get annoying. But we need to love them no matter what. We don’t have to agree with them, we don’t have to be best friends with everyone, but we can sure be there to pray for them and help them when they are in need. A way to show love is putting someone before yourself. I have learned that as a wife and even more so as a mother. My daughter’s needs come before mine. If she’s hungry, I stop what I am doing to feed her. Whatever it is that she needs I do it because I love her and I want the best for her. How much more does the Father want what’s best for us? He cares for us more than anything in the world. We need to give ourselves up completely for His glory. We honor Him by being selfless and humble.

Being good to people isn’t just to their face but it is also what we do in private. Talking bad about someone? Then being nice to their face? I believe they call that hypocrite. Honor each other in person and in private. God hears every word you think and speak. Forgive one another as fast as you can. Don’t slander about someone either. Slander is so  If you have an issue with someone, go to that person. It is so much better that way. Be kind to one another always!

I know this is hard. Trust me, I am still learning myself, but we can all at least try. God is faithful and if you need help in this area of your life reach out to the Lord and to someone who can counsel you and keep you accountable. Honor the Lord, honor each other.

Written by Olivia Mancini