Looking Out For Others

From: Our Daily Bread Ministries

Philippians 2:4 "Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others."

In giving of ourselves, we manifest the essence of Jesus’ character, for it has always been His nature to think more about others than He thinks of Himself. Why else would He humble Himself and become “obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” (Phil. 2:8).

Our natural tendency is to consider our own interests first—to look at everything from the perspective of our own needs and wants. But with Jesus’ help we can unlearn that habit. We can begin to think of the best interests of others—their wants, their concerns, their needs.

And so we must ask ourselves: Do we consider others’ interests more important than our own? Do we get as excited about what God is doing in and through them as we do about what He is doing in and through us? Do we long to see others grow in grace and gain recognition, though it may have been our efforts that made them successful? Do we find satisfaction in seeing our spiritual children surpass us in the work they are called to do? If so, such is the measurement of greatness.

We are most like our Lord when our thoughts for ourselves are lost in our thoughts for others. There is no greater love than that (John 15:13). - David H. Roper

This message brought to mind something we were required to learn in my college fraternity many years ago. Only in my aging have I come to fully appreciate its meaning and true value for my life.

The True Gentleman

"The true gentleman is a man whose conduct proceeds from good will and an acute sense of propriety, and whose self-control is equal to all emergencies;

Who does not make the poor man conscious of his poverty, the obscure man of his obscurity; or any man of his inferiority or deformity;

Who is himself humbled, if necessity compels him to humble another;

Who does not flatter wealth, cringe before power or boast of his own possessions or achievements;

Who speaks with frankness, but always with sincerity and sympathy;

Whose deed follows his word;

Who thinks of the rights and feelings of others rather than his own, and who appears well in any company;

A man with whom honor is sacred and virtue safe."