Daily Service: Selfless or Selfish? (Whose side are you on?)

brucesbiblepage

Mar 5

Updated for Daily Service 19

Okay, this came up one night recently in a discussion with our dear Palauan sister. Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25-17); read the whole account and write down each interaction as selfless or selfish. God wasn't in that discussion at all and both parents were guilty of favoritism. But at its base, the actions and reactions are based on selfish interests.

I have done several posts now on selflessness versus selfishness and the point has been made.

Let's just take it a step further. If you are a Christian (follower of Christ) you should have figured out that Christ was never, ever, selfish. I challenge you, give me a case for God being selfish.

Mark 12:31 (ESV) The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

Philippians 2:3-5 (ESV) Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others.

1 John 3:17-18 (ESV) But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

Now can we agree on that?

Next, don't expect people who don't call on the name of Christ to behave in any manner other than selfishness. Just understand that and get over it. But above all else, love them like Christ loved you.

2 Timothy 3:3-5 (ESV) heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

James 3:16 (ESV) For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

Our senior pastor put it like this: "not so very long ago if I had a piece of candy (cake, treat) I would not share it with my wife or my kids. God put Philippians 2:5 in front of me and asked me if I was being more like Him or more like my old self before Christ. The answer was obvious and I continue to grow as the Holy Spirit guides me."

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