August 23
Romans 15:2-3
“Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”
It is easy to preach to ourselves to become like Christ; however, we do not always practice what we preach. In fact and most of our lives, our Christianity is by way of mouth. We are living Christianity with our mouth, but we are not living Christianity with our walk. Many of us are self-centered, even beyond our knowledge. We care only for ourselves, but we are so blind to it. In most instances, we forget to look at the needs of others because our first reaction and in most situations is “me.” We begin going on in our heads, what about me, how will I be affected, what will be my outcome, etc. We don’t think of others or of pleasing them and placing them before us.
Most people may say if you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to take care of others. Although this is true, it doesn’t mean that you should never reach out to help others. In fact, if you hold so firmly unto that the chances of helping others will be slim because every opportunity you have to offer help the first thought in your head will be, take care of you first, and by so doing you’ll keep pushing people aside and if you’re not careful you will never have time to help anyone.
Just as Christ thought about us and made individual decisions for our good so we also ought to think about our neighbors and care for them. Do not hesitate to lose an extra hour of sleep to take someone to work, or give someone $30 out of your budget so that they can keep their lights on for another month. Don’t always make life about yourself. Christ cares for us; that’s why we have a chance at life. So let us also care for others and bless them whenever we have the opportunity.
