The Interests Of Others

"Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." (Philippians 2:1-4) 

All through time, and all through people's lives, they have demonstrated an attitude of selfishness and self-sufficiency.

Do we ever ask the question: "How is what I am doing, having an affect on the lives of others?" Can our selfish behavior have a devastating affect on the lives of others? The answer is, YES! When selfishness takes center stage, with out a doubt, there will be negative results. When we are just thinking about ourselves, and not considering the well-being, or feelings of others, we are setting the stage for strong resentment, bitterness, and yes, anger.

In our relationship with others, what we do today, will affect the way things will be tomorrow. These are tough questions to answer:
Am I being a certain way for me, or for others? Are the things that I am doing, causing someone, or someones, to be burdened, restricted, humiliatied, excluded, ignored, etc.?

The Apostle Paul instructs us here, to always look out for the interests of others. To be a balcony person. To lift others up, over ourselves. God will take care of us! He promised that He would do that. But the best question for us is: "How can we allow God to use us, to be an instrument of His care for others?"

Blessings instead of curses will come, when we take selfishness, and place it in file 13! GP
3//8/2017

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