Just a Thought: The opposite of selfishness is putting others first. What is the first thought that comes to mind when you’re having dinner with friends. Jesus said, “the first shall be last and the last shall be first” He wasn’t taking about the serving line at dinner. He was however, talking about the same attitude. Let others go or be first. Don’t be so concerned about yourself, you give no thought to others. Now when Jesus spoke those words, He was teaching His disciples about selfishness and leadership. The disciples had been arguing over which of them was the greatest among them and who would be at the top of the leadership ladder in the Lord’s kingdom. But this is what selfishness does. It causes us to think higher of ourselves than we should. It also causes us to think less of others. When this kind of attitude is present in families it leads to arguments and divisions. When this attitude is present in marriages or relationships or friendships, it leads to resentment, hurt, revenge and separation. And, when this attitude is present in the church it leads to destruction. This is not a “Christ-like” attitude. And this is a character trait that ought not to be in the Christian’s life. I know many people who have developed this attitude because of past situations. As a pastor I have talked to many of these people as they tell me their horror stories of how they perceive they have been burned in the past by others. For some reason (defense mostly), they think these experiences have taught them it is okay to be selfish because they have to look out for “number one.” Of course they are speaking of themselves. You may have at some time said or heard someone say, “You have to look out for yourself because if you don’t, no one else will.” But is that how we should really live? Is this how we should act towards others? With an “I don’t have time for them, I’m too busy taking care of me!” attitude? NO! Not if you are a faithful follower of Jesus, it isn’t. Listen to the apostle Paul give us godly advise on the kind of attitude we should have. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:” (Phil 2:3-5) Paul says selfish ambition and selfish thinking have no place in the life of the believer! He says the opposite is true. The opposite of selfishness is putting others first. Now, just to be clear. Jesus was nobody’s door mat. But He was selfless, giving, honest and gracious. Paul goes on to explain how incredibly selfless Jesus was in the following verses 6-9. Listen my friend, we learn from our past but we don’t live there! If others have hurt you, forgive them, let it go and move forward. Don’t honor them by becoming just like them. They say the best form of flattery is imitation. So, if you’re going honor or flatter anyone, be like Christ in your attitude! The opposite of selfishness is putting others first. That is the example of Christ and the model for us. Who are you most like today, those who were in your past or Jesus who is present in your life today?
