Take an interest in others too

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord.

Primary Text

“All things are legitimate [permissible – and we are free to do anything we please], but not all things are helpful (expedient, profitable, and wholesome). All things are legitimate, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life]. Let no one then seek his own good and advantage and profit, but [rather] each one of the other [let him seek the welfare of his neighbor].” 1 Corinthians 10v23-24 (AMP)

How often do you seek to please others, or look out for the spiritual edification of those around you? When we relate with others, even though all things are permissible, we need to ask, are we looking out for their interests, are we being constructive and profitable to them? Most times, it is easy to think of ourselves and put our own self before others. But Philippians 2v3-4 (NLT) encourages us by saying “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” Let us learn to take an interest in others and be concerned for their own welfare and spiritual growth. “Let each one of us make it a practice to please (make happy) his neighbor for his good and for his true welfare, to edify him [to strengthen him and build him up spiritually]. For Christ did not please Himself [gave no thought to His own interests]; but, as it is written, The reproaches and abuses of those who reproached and abused you fell on Me.” Romans 15v1-2 (AMP). Paul wrote “I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.” (1Corinthians 10v33, NLT).

Supplementary Text

“Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves]. Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others.” Philippians 2v3-4 (AMP)

Prayer

Father, we thank You for Your Word. We bless You for You have given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with Your love. We pray we will indeed walk in love towards others and not seek our own interests only in Jesus name, amen.