Unselfish

<<noble, selfless>>

Unselfishness is being other-centred, not looking after our own rights, but instead loving our neighbour as ourselves and not looking for any reward except knowing we are doing God’s will (Mt 22:39, 25:34-46; Lk 14:12-14, 17:10; Gal 6:2). Jesus said, “By this the world will know you are my disciples – if you have love for others” (Jn 13:35).

The world’s common approach – being primarily concerned only about what personally affects oneself – is just the opposite and is typified by the rich young man who, if he had followed the advice given by Jesus, would have been blessed if he had given to the poor,

Do I consider myself before others?

but instead he went away sad (Mk 10:21,22; 2 Tim 3:2). This is similar to the rich farmer who said, "I have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life east; eat drink and be merry" (Lk 12:16-21). The paradox of the Christian life is that if we cling to our life, we will lose it but if we surrender it to God and His Kingdom we will save it (Mt 6:33, 10:39).  After Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan as an example of unselfishness in action He said, “Go and do likewise” (Lk 10:37).

Some of the Bible’s statements about unselfishness are: “Share and share alike…do to others as you would like done to you…giving without expecting anything in return…give and it will be given to you, for the measure you use to bless others is the measure by which you will receive back” (1 Sam 30:24; Lk 6:31,35,38). A noble person overlooks offences, accepts others in unselfish love and is not absorbed with their own importance (Prov 12:16, 19:11; Eph 4:2; Phil 2:4; 2 Pet 1:7). We should not look to please our own selves as our responsibility is for others (Rom 15:1-3; 1 Cor 10:33). Are these qualities evident in my life?

While unselfishness, generosity, self-sacrifice and considering others are the Bible’s standard, and should characterize Christians, they are not without cost. In fact, they help to build character.

Bible examples include:

1/. Abraham, who yielded his rights, humbly letting his nephew take first choice, for unselfishness is sharing our good fortune with others, so they may be blessed too (Gen 13:6-9; 2 Kgs 7:3-9).

2/. Solomon’s unselfish prayer resulted in him being blessed beyond measure (2 Chr 1:7-12).

3/. Esther jeopardised her position and life to expose her nationality and identify with her people who faced extermination (Est 4:12-16). This gallant act resulted in the saving of the Jews from annihilation.

4/. When Job prayed for others his own trying situation came right (Job 42:10).

5/. The greatest example of unselfishness is that of Jesus, who volunteered to step into our predicament and save us from an eternity of torment (Rom 5:8; 2 Cor 8:9; Eph 2:8,9;
2 Tim 1:9; Tit 3:5; 1 Pet 3:18).

See also: generosity, golden rule, others, responsible/responsibility, selfishness, share.

Does His supreme example motivate me to live my life for others?