Striving For Selflessness

Philippians 2:4-6- Not looking to you own interests but each of you to the interests of others.  In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who being in very nature God, did no consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage.

It seems to be a running theme in the Bible to put others before yourself.  Isn't it so easy to just set aside whatever crisis you're dealing with in order to help someone with their own crisis?  It comes so naturally, right?  Not really.  If you're anything like me, you're successful doing this only on a limited basis and with no consistency whatsoever.  That's part of being human.

But God wants us to overcome our natural tendencies in exchange for a better approach to life:

His approach.

Philippians 2:4-6 highlights one of these approaches.  Imagine living in a world where you didn't have to think much about your needs because other were already working to meet them.  And in turn, you would be working to ensure that the needs of others were being met.  God knows that this way of living is best for us individually and collectively.  Unfortunately, our actual world is quite different.

Even though we live in a world that is far from ideal, we can still lighten each other's burdens by using our individual gifts to enrich the lives of those around us.  Living the principle found in Philippians becomes easier when you utilize your strengths, talents, and abilities for the betterment of others. 

1. What obstacles do you experience on a daily basis to putting others first?  How do you overcome these?

2. What gifts do you possess that enable you to effectively meet the needs of others?