There are reasons to consider the interests of others ahead of our own. For a child of God, the main reason is belief in an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-seeing God who loves all His creation. God does not love one child more than another because of gender, age, status, class, or culture; all who repent are welcome in His Kingdom. Like the Apostle Peter, we must conclude and “truly understand that God does not show favoritism” (Acts 10:34). Speak and teach correctly; to show partiality is not good and God is good.
Some people love saying they are highly favored. Maybe they are by people but not by God, “For God does not show favoritism” (Romans 2:11). Christians must be careful with their words, ensuring they do not contradict God’s truth. This truth reveals itself in the New and Old Testaments, so we can be sure the God we serve is the same today as yesterday. Scripture in the Old Testament validates Romans 2:11, saying: "God is not partial to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands” (Job 34:19).
God gives us freedom and offers His followers an opportunity to serve one another in love humbly. The isolation during the COVID-19 Pandemic showed that we need to spend more time considering the needs of others because we are all connected, even by the air we breathe. Many rose to the occasion with many acts of kindness. A stranger helped a waitress without work pay her rent. When the Staples Center closed, it donated 7,000 pounds of food to the Midnight Mission. The media records many stories like these in this crisis; however, God expects us to retain this charitable nature when there is no crisis. It is all part of caring about and for others: the widows, the children, the poor, and the needy.
It could be leaving bags of food for the homeless, cutting the lawn of an elderly neighbor, practicing civility, or speaking the unadulterated Word of God. It is essential not to allow unwholesome talk from our lips. We must speak the truth to one another. Some of us need to take time to rethink our priorities in life. "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves” (2 Cor. 13:5).
So, let us never forget to share with those in need. Doing what the Lord commands and helping each other is more important than money and power. Honor one another out of reverence for Christ. Speaking with the counsel of the Apostle Paul, I say this: “Don't do anything from selfish ambition or from a cheap desire to boast but be humble toward one another, always considering others better than yourselves” (Phil. 2:3). This verse guides us to God’s way of outdoing, out-loving, and out-honoring each other (Rom. 12:10). Challenge yourself to consider the interest of others!
Minister Nettie Pennington, Associate Minister, Springfield MB Church
