Romans 12:3 (NKJV)
3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
You mean it’s not all about me? I am not the most important person in the world? Our society teaches us to look out for ourselves and to take what we want before someone else does. We are to look out for number one. How well is that working for us as a society? How is it working for us as a world? If your favorite radio station is WIIFM (What’s in it for me), you are a taker and the world owes you something in your opinion. Takers look out for their own interests at the expense of others. They want to get their fair share and, sometimes, their unfair share.
In the Book of Romans, Paul is trying to teach us to have a servant’s heart. Jesus speaks many times and sets the example of loving and caring for others. A world of takers is a mean place. For people to prosper on the whole, we need to care for each other. If we think too highly of ourselves, we will not care about the needs and feelings of others. C.S. Lewis said, in Mere Christianity, “True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.”
When we think of others and their needs, we step outside ourselves to where God wants us to be. We were not designed to be alone. With that in mind, caring for each other should be an integral part of our lives. I have always said I would want my child to be a waiter or waitress so they could gain an understanding of what it means to be a servant. It is a special thing to have a servant’s heart. With it, you learn to recognize the needs of others and learn to meet those needs.
The other day, as I walked through the hallway at Church, I heard a woman working in the childcare area talk about the great smell of the coffee coming from Fellowship Hall. A man asked her if she would like him to get her some since she could not leave her post. That is what we are called to do. We are called to care for one another. When you focus on meeting the needs of others, God will meet your needs. This is also a business principle. Sales are based on finding a need and filling that need. It is all about meeting the needs of others. So maybe, your favorite radio station should be WIIFT (What’s in it for them)? Maybe that is God’s solution to our selfish world? Why not try it and see how that works for you? Some will take advantage. Some will be skeptical. But many will respond with kindness and appreciation and that is what our Creator desires.
Lord, thank You for the gifts of Your Bounty. Help us to be good stewards of what You have given. There is more than enough to go around if people will think of others and share. Lead us to those whom we can serve. Teach us Your ways that we might know you better. Your ways are to care for those who cannot care for themselves and to share with others as they have need. You have told us that in Your Word and set that example in Your life. We are supposed to follow you “with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18). Help us to follow Your teachings in the way we live our lives. In Jesus name we pray! Amen!