Our Neighbor's Good

 

“Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.”

(1 Corinthians 10:24 ESV)

 

Society tells us to do whatever makes us happy. It tells us we should do that which fulfills us. And it tells us that we deserve these things.

 

It sounds very convincing. It sounds convincing because it frames this in the context of self-care. It tells us that it’s about taking care of both our physical as well as our mental health.

 

And, for the most part, we in the church have bought in. As we go about our lives, we naturally pursue those things that serve us. We pursue those things that satisfy us. We pursue those things that please us.

 

In reality, of course, this flows from our sinful nature. It flows from a nature that is inherently selfish. It flows from a nature which is fundamentally self-centered and self-seeking.

 

 As we look to Scripture, however, we find that it commands the opposite. It calls us to do that which goes against our natural tendencies. It calls us to turn from our selfish tendencies and to put our neighbor ahead of ourselves.

 

This is Paul’s point, in the passage above. He tells us that we’re to seek not our own good, but that of our neighbor. We’re to seek the welfare and the blessing of our neighbor ahead of our own.

 

We see this not only in the above passage, but throughout Scripture. For example, in Philippians 2:3-4 Paul says: “Do nothing from selfish ambition 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.” And in 1 Corinthians 13, we’re told that love does not insist on its own way.

 

In John 13:34-35, Jesus says it this way: “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. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” And we, of course, know how Jesus loved us. He loved us by laying down his life for us.

 

I’m not suggesting that we ignore our health and well-being. If we fail to take care of ourselves, we’ll be of no good to anyone. However, we’re to seek the blessing of others ahead of our own. And we’re to seek not our benefit, but that of our neighbor.

 

In fact, we serve God by serving our neighbor. We love God by loving our neighbor. And we worship God as we help and minister to our neighbor.