LOOK OUT FOR YOURSELF

If ever there was a figure in history that demonstrated an attitude of Christlike unselfishness it is Abraham. When Abraham and Lot were going in different directions, Abraham was the one who stepped up to the plate and yielded his position to Lot. He stepped back and gave Lot all the respect in the world as he said, you choose. In Genesis 12:9; Abraham said to Lot…“If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.”

Unfortunately today most people ignore Paul’s admonition to us to…“Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians. 2:4;). If you are not sure this is true, just think about (with honesty of course), your own thoughts, and your actions and goals for life. The wider society around us reflects our attitudes and operates on the principle of selfishness. The person who lets others go first is not regarded as virtuous, but is considered weak.

Every day, we are each presented with many opportunities to obey Paul’s admonition through acts of kindness, by treating others the way we want to be treated, and by putting them first, and ourselves last. That doesn’t mean we neglect our own needs, but that we make the effort to meet the needs of others as well. We “each esteem others better than ourselves.” (Philippians 2:3;).

This kind of attitude will not turn us into losers, but into winners of a great spiritual reward.