A lady answered the knock on her door to find a man with a sad expression. "I'm sorry to disturb you," he said, "but I'm collecting money for an unfortunate family in the neighborhood. The husband is out of work, the kids are hungry, the utilities will soon be cut off, and worse, they're going to be kicked out of their apartment if they don't pay the rent by this afternoon." "I'll be happy to help," said the woman with great concern. "But who are you?" "I'm the landlord," he replied.

If we serve only when there is “something in it for us,” our actions soon lose that “loving feeling!” Christian love is not about us, but about others. Love for God and others is to mark the believer, not love for self. When Jesus says to “love our neighbor as ourselves”, he teaches us that concern for others must equal the natural concern we have for ourselves. A person who demands his own way, or who uses others for personal benefit, is not showing love.

It is not uncommon to see a prominent sense of entitlement and egocentrism in today’s society. Many get so caught up in their own success and wellbeing, that they become blind to the people around them. Instead of looking out for the needs of others, we become internally focused, only seeing our own needs and wants. Or, like the landlord in the above illustration, we only help when it benefits us as well! However, as Christians, we have the opportunity to be the change! Love should be a characteristic that is the “norm” when it comes to being a child of God, because God IS love. God loves us unconditionally and showed us the perfect example of selfless love in Jesus, who came and died for our sins. Let us show love to someone, other than ourselves, today!

Suggested prayer: Dear God, keep me from seeking my own desires and wellbeing above those of others. I want to be the difference that changes someone’s day from gloomy to bright! Help me love others genuinely without expecting any gain from it. Thank you for Jesus who was the ultimate example of love and for the Holy Spirit who enables me to transmit that love to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

1. Philippians 2:3-4 (NLT).