Don’t Be Selfish
I hate to admit but I’m a bit selfish. I like the best piece of cake or the best seat. I like it when things go my way. I’m learning to become a giver. I am learning that it is really fun to give. Dave Ramsey says, giving changes me; giving transforms me. I agree with Dave on that point. Jesus said, “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35 NLT). Giving is not necessarily natural. Once I experience giving, I realize that it does change me and my perspective. I think it’s also important to have a heartfelt sense of gratitude prior to giving. Paul tells the Philippian church that they should have a similar attitude of Christ. Check this out…
3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. (Philippians 2:2-4 NLT)
I used to want the nicest car and a big truck. I admit that I was trying to impress people that I really didn’t know or even like. I wanted a fancy house like some that I sell. I wanted. I wanted. I wanted. I really didn’t have a ton of needs. Since coming face to face with gratitude and humility, I realized that those wants were about me and they were really not my needs. I’m learning that my life has one purpose – to bring glory and honor to God. Anything honor I receive is secondary to that purpose. If I’m to bring glory and honor to God, I must be humble and unselfish in every area of my life. I must check my ego at the door. I must humble myself and put my pride in its place. When I put others above myself, I learn more about me. When I give to others, my heart is changed. I want to continue to grow in my service to others – this is bringing honor to the Lord.
Pressing On!
Dwayne