Putting Others' Interests Before Your Interests

Hebrews 10:24

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works...

If you want to encourage a brother or stir them up, you have to love them first, and have an interest for them. You cannot put the interests of others first, if you don't love them.

Galatians 6:1

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

For you to help that person who has walked out of the ways of God, you have to think about that person, not yourself, and not worry about what others will say. True love thinks about others more than it thinks about itself. You'd rather be seen with a backsliden person, trying to bring them back, than let that person continue in their sins, lost, just because you're afraid of what people will say about you, when you are seen walking with them.

Matthew 5:14-16

"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

As lights, we've been lit by Christ, and when we don't regard others, we'll end up living in such ways that will repel people from the Light. One benefit of putting others' interests above yourself is that you'll do good works, thus glorifying God in heaven, and drawing people to God. Picture you being sent by your church as an ambassador to another church, to represent the church, and you end up misbehaving at the church. This church you have been invited to will not see you as the one who's misbehaved, but the church you represent. When we fail to act like Christ, it reflects badly on Him Whom we represent, as we are His ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:20). For this reason, instead of people being drawn to Christ through us, they will be pushed away further from Him. 

Benefits of putting others' interests above yours

• People will want to know the Source of that light
  
• People will be attracted to the Source of the light
  
• People will want to know how to keep that light glowing
  
• God will be glorified

Matthew 10:8

Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

We cannot do the above things, if we're thinking about ourselves. For us to pray for others to be healed, we have to be in good relations with them. We can't pray for people we don't love. Jesus didn't have His own interests at heart, which is why He always went about doing good, even raising the dead. Raising the dead also refers to us considering the dead gifts in people, rather than only be centered on the gifts given to us.

We were given gifts to serve, freely. We should never think these gifts were to prosper or benefit us; they're for others, to be a blessing to them and meet their needs, for God's glory.

Exodus 17:12

But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

Aaron and Hur knew that Moses wasn't interceding for himself, but for others. Knowing this, they knew Moses needed them, and without Moses asking them, they helped him. Let's never wait to be asked for help, even in the church. We should always consider others, and whenever we see a need, we should meet it, if we're able to. As the Bible says, let us do good to all, as we have opportunity, especially to those of the household of faith (Gal. 6:10). Let us support our leaders, fellow brethren and so on, never at any point thinking about ourselves, but always thinking about others, as Christ showed us. This way, God is glorified through us, as we allow His love to flow through us. 

What has been keeping you from letting your light shine among men? Is your light shining among all men equally, or are there some people who you have kept this light from shining to, by putting your interests above theirs? Let us love all people equally, and put their interests above ours, as Christ in His love, grace and mercy did for us. 

Philippians 2:3-5

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus...

Blessings. 

-- Desmond Kuria. 

Sunday Morning Exhortation, Teaching Transformation Ministry. 

Brother Desmond is a vibrant Teen and Youth, at Teaching Transformation Ministry. We are located along the Thika-Ruai Flyover Junction (at the Thika Rd./ Bypass intersection), Next to Eastgate Restaurant.