Is It Overrated To Be Selfless?

Unselfish love does not exploit its object and it does not ask for anything in return.

A.W. Tozer

The perfect example of selflessness is Jesus of course. But if I can site examples of unselfish people, I would say it will be the teachers. I was blessed by God with awesome teachers. They taught me a lot and have influenced me for the good. At one time in my childhood, I dreamed to be a teacher. I like the idea of sharing with others what you know and helping others grow in knowledge and truth.

History to Understand God’s Word

Nehemiah in Hebrew means Yahweh comforts. He led the last Israelites out of Babylon to Jerusalem where the other Israelites have started rebuilding the Temple of God. During his time in Babylon, Nehemiah was the cupbearer of King Artaxerxes before becoming the governor of Judah. He led the people to rebuild the walls of Israel, receiving attacks from without and abuses from within the walls. Furthermore, it took Nehemiah and his men 52 days to finish the wall. That even the enemies attributed the works to God.

Bible Reading

Today’s devotional reading is from the Book of Nehemiah 5:14-19. Please, read our recent devotional from the Book of Acts 5:1-16: Covert or Overt: How To Know Lies

Importance of selflessness

Jesus Christ is the best example of a selfless person. He sacrificed Himself on the cross to receive the wrath of God for you and me. If everybody will be selfish and does not look out for each other, chaos will rule over the earth. The best scenario will be anarchy. Everyone is living according to one’s thinking and most often than not it the drive is for selfish reasons.

The scriptures constantly reminding us to put others’ interests before ours. As Paul wrote, Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:4 ESV).

Reasons and benefits of unselfishness

There are three reasons and benefits when one is unselfish. First is love. We do selfless acts when we love and out of this, we get love in return. When God gave His Son for us out of His love. We returned our love to Him when we ask His Son, Jesus Christ.

The second is contentment. Looking out for other’s well-being means you are not too preoccupied with your wants and ambitions. One’s contentment is manifested through unselfish relations to others. The third, and last, is fear of the Lord. Take for example Nehemiah, how he dealt with the Israelites was the effect of his fear of the Lord (Nehemiah 5:15). The benefit of this is that the Lord will reward him according to His will. Another benefit is that through Nehemiah’s actions people that see him will see the light of God and hopefully they too will fear the Lord.

Reflection

This is the time for your journaling. Reflect on these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit to test your faith and your walk with Christ.

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? — 2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV
  1. Can you recall any time that you were acting selfishly?
  2. How did it make you feel?
  3. What were people’s reactions towards you?
  4. Was there a nagging voice telling you to change your ways?
  5. Have you accepted God’s love and invited Him to show you how to selfless? Accept Jesus Now.

Prayer

Almighty Father, you are an unselfish God. Your love was extended to us through Your creation and completed by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And until now we feel Your selfless love through the Holy Spirit. 

We thank You for these Lord and we pray that Your love will never depart from us. Even at times, we know that we are not loveable, yet You never cease to show Your affection for us. We praise Your greatness God and we humble ourselves at the foot of Your throne.

We pray in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.

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