Is It All About Me?

You may have heard the story of two friends who met for dinner in a restaurant. Each requested filet of sole, and after a few minutes the waiter came back with their order. Two pieces of fish, a large and a small, were on the same platter. One of the men proceeded to serve his friend. Placing the small piece on a plate, he handed it across the table. "Well, you certainly do have nerve!" exclaimed his friend.

"What's troubling you?" asked the other. "Look what you've done," he answered. "You've given me the little piece and kept the big one for yourself." "How would you have done it?" the man asked. His friend replied, "If I were serving, I would have given you the big piece." "Well," replied the man, "I've got it, haven't I?" At this, they both laughed. -Daily Bread, August 11, 1992

As Jesus went about His earthly ministry, people either wanted to follow Him, or were invited by Him; yet some desired to do so on their own terms (Luke 9:57-62).
"Lord, let me first go and bury my father." "Lord, I will follow you, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house."

This "me first" mentality was fundamentally opposed to Jesus' concept of following Him. The Bible tells us that He demanded that one "deny himself" to follow Him (Luke 9:23). And, that He required that one "hate...his own life also" (Luke 14:26). How many of us would be up for this challenge even today?

After all, living in a culture that praises putting self first and then "Looking Out For #1", it's easy for Christians to adopt this "me first" mentality. Let's consider some ways we can be guilty of the "me first" mentality," shall we?

A good starting point is IN OUR ATTENDANCE. The Scriptures reveal the example and value of assembling together with other Christians (Acts 2:42; 20:7; Hebrews 10:25). Yet, many will often put personal interests before opportunities to attend services, such as:
a. Recreational outings
b. Family gatherings
c. Elective work or school related activities
d. Staying home to read or watch TV
Haphazard attendance is a sure sign of the "me first" mentality!

Another way is IN OUR CONTRIBUTION. Christians are instructed to give of their prosperity to meet certain needs (1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:7-9).
Yet many will give sparingly because:
a. They want to spend as much as possible on things for themselves
b. They have failed to properly budget their contribution to the Lord
c. They are burdened with bills for things that are not necessities, but actually luxuries
Negligent giving of our prosperity is a sign of the "me first" mentality!

We can also exemplify a "me first" attitude IN OUR SERVICE TO ONE ANOTHER. God has blessed each of us with gifts to serve one another (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Peter 4:10-11).
Yet many make little effort to do their part in the work of the local congregation:
a. They do not learn the names of the other members
b. They do not seek to find their "gift" or ability God has given them
c. Men do not attend the business meetings; women do not teach classes
d. They may attend church, but only to receive, not to give of themselves
Lack of involvement in the local church is a sign of the "me first" mentality!

As a final example, we need look no further than IN OUR FAMILIAL RELATIONSHIPS. Christians have duties to members of their physical families (Colossians 3:18-21; Ephesians 5:22,25,33). Many families suffer when people seek their own interests above another, as in:
a. When husbands and wives are selfish in their dealings with each other
b. When parents divorce without regard to the impact on their children
c. When children fail to honor and obey their parents
Dysfunctional families abound where the "me first" mentality exists!

As we have just seen, our service to the Lord, His church and our families is greatly hindered by the "me first" mentality, and is detrimental to our souls and those around us. Instead of a "me first" mentality, how much better would it be for us to learn and practice an "others first" principle!

How about one AS EXEMPLIFIED BY CHRIST? He came to this earth because He put others first (2 Corinthians 8:9; Mathew 20:28). We are called upon to adorn the same mind or attitude (Philippians 2:3-8:
a. To do nothing through selfish ambition or conceit
b. To esteem others better than ourselves
c. To look out for the interests of others
Jesus exemplified the principle of "others first" that He desires in us as well.

Or, we can turn to the example AS EXEMPLIFIED BY THE MACEDONIANS. Note their great liberality despite their own poverty (2 Corinthians 8:1-4). Note also why they were able to be so gracious in thinking of others first (2 Corinthians 8:5):
a. They first gave of themselves to the Lord, then to others!
b. The mentality of "Lord first" instead of "me first" enabled them to put "others first"
Their liberality continued in supporting Paul to preach the gospel (Phlippians 4:10-18). Putting God and others first ensured that their needs would be met (Philippians 4:19). It is clear that the Macedonians exemplified the true value of putting "others first!"

In closing, let's first ask ourselves, "Do we have the 'me first' mentality?" If we do, we cannot be Jesus' disciples. If we do, the church and our own spiritual lives will suffer. Secondly, "Do we want to be rid of the 'me first' mentality?" The "me first" mentality will be destroyed when we adopt the "others first" principle. The "others first" principle will be developed as we make "the kingdom of God first" (Matthew 6:33).

Hopefully, you have seen that when we truly put the kingdom of God and others before ourselves, then the Lord will see to it that we have the things that we need! (Matthew 6:30-33; Philippians 4:19).

Prayer:

Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight, and give Your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend Your sick ones, O Lord Christ. Rest Your weary ones. Bless Your dying ones. Soothe Your suffering ones. Pity Your afflicted ones. Shield Your joyous ones. And all for Your love's sake. Amen

Have a blessed day,

Gina