God's Glory Church

Our default setting is selfishness.

Do not believe? Try to spend the day with the baby.

Babies want what they want, and they want it now. Toddlers will fight (and sometimes bite) to maintain control over their prized possessions. Little ones are not bothered by schedules, plans or perfectly white walls.

The good news about toddlers—and people in general—is that they are capable of becoming selfless people as they grow up. But if children are not reoriented with love and do not teach them to consider others, this selfishness will remain.

So, if we are inherently selfish people, how do we train our minds not to default to selfishness?

The Bible encourages us to model our lives after the example of Jesus…

“Do nothing deceitfully or out of conceit, but in humility regard one another as greater than yourself. Let everyone take care not of himself, but of others. May you have the same thoughts as in Christ Jesus!…”
Philippians 2:3-5

Jesus did not use His authority for personal gain—power, pleasure, control, or comfort—but took on the nature of a servant.

Jesus spent His time investing in others.
Jesus focused His attention on helping others.
Jesus gave His own life for others.

If you start to feel narcissistic, self-indulgent, or even a little self-righteous, try asking God for help.

Ask Him to help you see people as He does.
Ask Him to use any knowledge you gain to love Him and serve others.
Ask Him to give you the opportunity to lead others to Him.
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God’s Word, the Holy Spirit and relationships with other believers purify our hearts. And with God’s help, we can change our tendency to live a selfish life to a selfless life.