but each one the other's well-being."
1 Corinthians 10:24
She was unhappy in life. It seemed like she never had her way about anything. She often said to her friend, "Everybody else gets what they want. Why can't I?" Her friend said, "I want to recommend a book that can help you. It's title is Looking Out For Number One." She couldn't wait to get her hands on the book. It confirmed her right to live for herself and not be worried about other people. She was so excited. She thought this book was her answer. As she began to live for no other purpose than Looking Out For Number One, she was more depressed than ever before.
Self-help books are more about self than help. They affirm us in our self-centered lifestyle. Success in life depends upon what you're goal is. Selfishness is always self-defeating in the end. God has a book that talks about real success in life. One of the primary principles is "Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being." The principle works in marriage as well as parenting. It even works in the business world. It focuses on the needs of others, rather than expecting everyone to be concerned about our selfish desires.
Being selfish eventually becomes like eating too much chocolate. It tastes good, so we eat more and more. We can make ourselves sick by eating too much. So it is with our needs. We have certain basic needs that require our attention. However, if we are only concerned about our needs and no one else, we eventually become sick of ourselves, and others may as well.
God, give us grace to be concerned about others, through Christ Jesus.
