Description
Self-Help vs. Serving Others: A Biblical Perspective
In this episode, we explore the Apostle Paul’s teachings from 1 Co… (visit YouTube for more)
Transcript
A lot of self help material, Christian and otherwise, focuses a lot on doing ourselves good, on improving ourselves. And that’s okay as far as it goes, but if we take it to excess, it can descend into narcissism.
The Apostle Paul has an antidote for that. It’s the verse we’re meditating on today. It’s 1 Corinthians chapter 10, verse 24. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbour.
Did Jesus come to acquire goods, to build up an empire, to gain worldly possessions, to acquire power, to be the best version of himself?
Jesus came to seek and save the lost. His focus was so outward and external. He was looking to save the lost sheep of Israel. He was looking to bring the Gentiles into the flock. He was seeking the good of all his neighbours.
Can we be motivated by the needs of others, primarily? Can we lay down all our own considerations, putting others first?
Now, Paul is not saying that we abdicate our responsibilities. If we have work to do, if we have families to care for, we must continue to do that. But we’re not doing it with our own advancement as our highest priority.
Ambition is good if it’s kept in check. And the check that we use here is whether or not we’re also seeking the good of our neighbours, if we’re putting their benefit above our own. Not neglecting ourselves, that’s not what Paul’s saying. But being self sacrificial, laying down our lives for our friends.
God we know that you must come first. And you have told us what you require of us. Thank you for this reminder today. Please help us as we wrestle with it and work it out in our lives. Amen.
