“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.”
(Philippians 2:3)
We live in a world where pride and ego are worshipped. Media and business thrive on capitalizing off our inherently selfish nature. Money, riches, fame and personal glory are the going concern.
The irony is: self-seeking only leads to self-destruction. Primarily, our core, basic need is to be loved and accepted. The world is quick to sell us on the idea that wealth and notoriety will secure the love and affection we want, and therefore we should pursue those things for ourselves, in order to gain what it is we ultimately need.
The truth is, when we are selfish, no one wants to be around us. Do you enjoy spending time around self-absorbed people? It’s one thing to see people being selfish in media — there’s a certain draw to it, akin to slowing down to look when passing an automobile crash.
In reality, none of us wants to spend any significant time around someone who is self-centered, self-seeking, with an exaggerated sense of pride in themselves. The vibe and personality of such people just ring hollow, as if there is no depth to them.
We do, however, enjoy time with people who genuinely care for us. It makes sense that others will likely enjoy our own company, when we are genuinely concerned for them, too. We can’t fake it, though — it must be sincere.
The life Jesus lived, and the way the Bible teaches, is the way of love. When we begin to put forth the effort to genuinely love others, our own pride goes by the wayside, and honest humility takes its place. We begin to care more for others than we do for our own wants.
The irony is: when we start to be selfless and begin exhibiting true humility and care for other people, others will be naturally drawn to us, in the same way we gravitate toward kind and loving people.
Being selfless in practice provides us with what we’re truly seeking, which is love and compassion from our fellow human beings.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels
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