Philippians 2:1-11

“Look out for number one! If you don’t look out for yourself, then who will?”

Sound familiar? This is a common attitude in our self-centered world. Selfishness is normal and natural, yet God commands us to live a different way. He wants us to put the interests of others ahead of our own.

God wants us to be different from the world, but He doesn’t ask us to do something that He hasn’t demonstrated first. Jesus put the interests of others first. The needs of others motivated Him to put aside His life in heaven to die on earth.

What are you willing to give up today to put someone else's needs ahead of your own? Look for opportunities. Then act on those opportunities. It probably won’t feel natural at first. However, the more you practice selflessness, the easier it becomes to serve others.

Here’s a prayer for you to pray today:

Thank you, Lord, for your example of putting the needs of others first, for living here on earth, and for dying on the cross. Help me to see the needs of others; then give me the courage and strength to set aside my interests so I can meet the needs of those around me. Amen.