Human beings have a tendency to live inward bound lives*, thinking mostly of our needs and desires and using our time and resources to get them met. But we won't experience true joy unless we live an outward bound life, putting God and others before ourselves.
The Bible commands it:
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others" (Philippians 2:4).
The Bible commands it:
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others" (Philippians 2:4).
"As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people..." (Galatians 6:10).
Jesus sets the example:
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).
God blesses us so we can be a blessing to others (Genesis 12:2).
God comforts us so we can comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:4).
Paul gives this promise to the Philippian church: "My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19). This promise comes, however, as a response to the believers' selfless generosity to provide for Paul's needs.
Another place in the Bible makes this connection: "Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed" (Proverbs 28:27).
God gives us everything we need, not in order to be happy and comfortable, but in order to live a godly life (2 Peter 1:3). A godly life is one characterized by love for God and others.
God gives us the desires of our heart, not because we beg for them and depend on them for our happiness, but because our delight is in Him (Psalm 37:4).
He gives us His favor and makes us secure, not just for our own benefit, but so others may know that He has blessed us, that they may come to Him (Isaiah 60-61).
Our blessings are a responsibility: "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked" (Luke 12:48).
This kind of thinking is the complete opposite of human nature. The more we get, the more we want. If we don't make a conscious decision every day and every moment to live outward bound, we will default to living for ourselves.
Take, for example, driving. In Long Island we drive on the offensive, always trying to be the first to cut into traffic but not ever letting anyone merge in front of us. It seems like this is the only way to survive here, with so many cars on the road, and so many drivers on a mission to be first and fastest.
But I noticed when driving with my husband that he would often stop and signal for another driver to turn onto the road in front of him because there was no sign of a gap in the cars behind him. I was touched by these acts of generosity and decided to change my habits. It took some getting used to, but I am now more cognizant of situations where, if I were the other driver, I would really appreciate being waved into traffic. Occasionally the drivers behind me get upset that I slowed down for two seconds, but I'd rather be kind to the one driver who needs some grace than make sure that the many who are driving "inward bound" don't get offended.
Maybe being a considerate driver comes more naturally to you... maybe you're from the South where everyone is more relaxed ;-) There is surely some aspect of your life that is focused inwards where you could make an intentional decision to widen your perspective. Maybe it's where your money goes, how you spend your time, or how you choose your words. Maybe you just need to learn to be okay with letting someone else think that they are right.
Our blessings are a responsibility: "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked" (Luke 12:48).
This kind of thinking is the complete opposite of human nature. The more we get, the more we want. If we don't make a conscious decision every day and every moment to live outward bound, we will default to living for ourselves.
Take, for example, driving. In Long Island we drive on the offensive, always trying to be the first to cut into traffic but not ever letting anyone merge in front of us. It seems like this is the only way to survive here, with so many cars on the road, and so many drivers on a mission to be first and fastest.
But I noticed when driving with my husband that he would often stop and signal for another driver to turn onto the road in front of him because there was no sign of a gap in the cars behind him. I was touched by these acts of generosity and decided to change my habits. It took some getting used to, but I am now more cognizant of situations where, if I were the other driver, I would really appreciate being waved into traffic. Occasionally the drivers behind me get upset that I slowed down for two seconds, but I'd rather be kind to the one driver who needs some grace than make sure that the many who are driving "inward bound" don't get offended.
Maybe being a considerate driver comes more naturally to you... maybe you're from the South where everyone is more relaxed ;-) There is surely some aspect of your life that is focused inwards where you could make an intentional decision to widen your perspective. Maybe it's where your money goes, how you spend your time, or how you choose your words. Maybe you just need to learn to be okay with letting someone else think that they are right.
"When you get to a place where you don't go for what you can get, but you go for what you can give, you're gonna see your life change tremendously."
-Eric Thomas
-Eric Thomas
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*terminology taken from my pastor, Bert Crabbe, of True North Community Church
