Articles
Take An Interest In Others
Followers of Jesus Christ are individuals who shift their focus from self to others. Jesus consistently taught his disciples this principle. He instructed them to "treat others well" (Matthew 7:12), spoke about "loving our neighbors" (Mark 12:31), and encouraged them to "show mercy to everyone" (Luke 10:37). He even stated that "the greatest in the kingdom is the one who serves others" (Luke 22:26). Jesus' final words to his disciples underscored this very point: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another" (John 13:34). It's clear that Jesus didn't want his followers to be wrapped up in their own lives or consumed by their own problems; he didn't want those around them to be neglected.
However, we often become engrossed in our own lives, neglecting our responsibilities toward others. We're too busy with our own affairs, often blind to the needs of those around us. Worse yet, we sometimes simply don't care about helping others.
Paul's instructions to the church at Philippi further clarify our relationship with others. He wrote, "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others" (Philippians 2:3-4). Do we truly count others more significant than ourselves? We should. Love and humility enable us to be more aware of others and their potential needs.
Paul himself often needed help from others, and his letters are filled with gratitude for those who assisted him. He wrote, "May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me—may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that Day!—and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus" (2 Timothy 1:16-18). Onesiphorus exemplifies a wonderful attitude toward others, and Paul was truly thankful for such individuals.
Paul also instructed Christians to be helpful. He wrote, "Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful" (Titus 3:13-14). Paul expected Titus to look after the interests of Zenas and Apollos, ensuring they were provided for. Titus was also to teach Christians to be devoted to helping others. This suggests that helping others should always be a top priority for the follower of Jesus Christ.
A beautiful picture emerges from the lives of Christians in the New Testament. They were filled with love for one another and devoted to serving each other. Humility and selflessness reigned. Are we devoted to their interests? We should be!
