“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Mark 12:31 ESV

Somewhere we may have forgotten the difference between selfishness and self-interest.

Jesus stated that we are to love our neighbors as our selves. Yet we are told not to be self-centered. How can one be interested in the self without being self-centered?

Simply defined: self-interest is recognizing that the self is a person, made in the image of God, and is important in God’s domain.

Selfishness on the other hand, is when we only recognize our own personal desires and needs without taking into account the interest of others.

Without the protection of self-interest, we become pawns manipulated by others. Even Jesus said that we are to be harmless as doves but as wise as serpents when dealing with the world.

Without the Spirit of God, a person generally behaves with their personal agenda the center of life. With the Spirit of God one begins to view life from the others perspective. That includes God’s view and the people around us.

We begin to realize that all have been justified through the life and death of Jesus. That we can be a witness for others. We can work with the Spirit for the sake of others as they learn to accept Jesus as their Boss. Until then and thereafter, we are to be concern with our brothers and sisters. We are to take care of them as we want others to take care of us.

As children of God’s Kingdom, we are to follow the lead of the Spirit in our life. We are to include God and others in our decisions. And when push comes to shove, we deny ourselves for God’s glory and for the sake of others. It is not all about me. It is about God, others, and me.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Consultant, Coach, Encourager
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
* Great Business Emulates a Good God
* Be Radical…Follow Christ!
* Simply The Messenger
* Unequally Married