Giving is the highest essence of human endeavor. “Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friend” (John 15:13). The Epistles are replete with charges that Christians should place the good of others before themselves (Philippians 2:4; Romans 12:10, etc.). Selflessness is a fitting description of our Savior who gave Himself for our sins.

Conversely, all sin is in some way connected to selfishness. Commands are disobeyed out of a selfish intention and that results in sin. Selfishness is at the root of all sin.

Care for one another is a sign of love. Looking past warts and imperfections toward usefulness and concern is a sign of love. Love promotes cooperation between those who genuinely care for Christ and His cause and prohibits useless wranglings and senseless quarrels.

Two elderly women suffered incapacitating strokes. One’s left side was paralyzed, the other’s right. Each had before been an excellent pianist, but was denied the privilege of playing on account of the stroke. The director of a nursing home where they were lodged knew of their common interest in the piano and introduced them. Soon they were making beautiful music—together, one playing the left hand, the other the right. Unselfishness promotes unity, makes bad situations good, brings happiness out of adversity.

There is no better way to actualize selflessness than to do something for someone else. It gets you outside of yourself. It projects you into the situations around you and, if motivated by love and concern, makes every circumstance and every situation better. And most of the time it costs nothing. And even if it does cost something, more often than not, it’s worth the expenditure.

I ran across this years ago. Let me share it with you.
“The word is encumbered with sorrow and care,
With longing for happiness everywhere.
If then you could lighten the burden of life
And lessen its toil and its worry and strife,
Do something for somebody else.

We rush madly on in our daily careers,
And each take his measure of smiles and tears.
We flippantly mingle the bad and the good,
Nor seemingly care for the fact that we should,
Do something for somebody else.

Each play his small part in life’s feverish game,
And scrambles for honor and riches and fame;
Grows selfish and craven and full of distrust.
Yet if we could truly be happy, we must,
Do something for somebody else.

Oh, you who are full of complaining and fears,
Who think but of self through the slow-moving years.
Pray let me describe for life’s fevers and chills,
Its mental and moral and physical ills,
Do something for somebody else.

Do something for somebody else and forget
Your own petty troubles—why worry and fret?
Let love in your heart be forever enshrined;
He loves most who gives most of self to mankind.
Do something for somebody else.” (Anonymous)

And could I add something else? It doesn’t have to be something big. Sometimes just a smile to say “I care.” Sometimes just a hug or a pat on the shoulder to say, “You’re special.” Sometimes just a simple smile or a “hello” or an “I understand” will do. Do something for somebody else. It all adds up. It all adds up to good.

Copyright (C) 2002-2004 Southside Church of Christ
All rights reserved.