Most of us are keenly aware of our own need for recognition, money, praise, position, status, clothing, respect, love, shelter etc… and sadly, we spend most of our waking moments trying to meet (and exceed) those needs.
Scripture tells us in Phil.
2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
These verses really started to bother me a couple of years ago. Of course, it was always easy seeing the self-absorption in others before I saw it in myself…but eventually God made it obvious to me in almost every area of my life…not pretty!
God called to mind people who He was asking me to put before my own “needs”. First it was my wife, then my kids. Then He brought up several people in the community, then it was a group of young college guys who just needed someone to look up to. The list got longer but you get the idea.
God showed me a lot about putting the needs of others before my own. He showed me that anyone who does it will LOSE A LOT… like:
- deep feelings of JEALOUSY at OTHERS BLESSINGS
- the CONSTANT STRIVING for personal ATTENTION and CREDIT
- GUILE and POSITIONING
- FEAR of being LEFT OUT
- FRUSTRATION with “WHERE YOU ARE”
- sleepless nights…
I N T E N T I O N A L Marriage 
Todd Hope
February 6, 2012 at 9:08 am
Right on. It’s not about ourselves (self), it’s about our Father. We have to humble ourselves everyday to see where we can help others. Praying for this is a good start to any day, for we can do nothing without Jesus.