For Those Desiring a Deep Christian Faith...
  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
  • Daily Meditation
  • Past Daily Meditations
    • 2025 Meditations
    • June Meditations >
      • June 2
      • June 4
      • June 7
      • June 11
      • June 14
      • June 17
    • May Meditations >
      • May 1
      • May 5
      • May 7
      • May 10
      • May 13
      • May 15
      • May 19
      • May 22
      • May 24
      • May 27
      • May 30
    • April Meditations >
      • April 1
      • April 5
      • April 8
      • April 10
      • April 14
      • April 18
      • April 23
      • April 25
      • April 28
    • March Meditations >
      • March 4
      • March 6
      • March 9
      • March 11
      • March 13
      • March 16
      • March 19
      • March 22
      • March 26
      • March 28
    • February Meditations >
      • February 4
      • February 6
      • February 9
      • February 11
      • February 15
      • February 18
      • February 21
      • February 25
      • February 28
    • January Meditations >
      • January 4
      • January 7
      • January 9
      • January 12
      • January 15
      • January 18
      • January 22
      • January 24
      • January 26
      • January 28
      • January 31
    • 2024 Meditations
    • December Meditations >
      • December 2
      • December 5
      • December 8
      • December 10
      • December 12
      • December 15
      • December 18
      • December 21
      • December 24
      • December 27
      • December 30
    • November Meditations >
      • November 2
      • November 5
      • November 8
      • November 10
      • November 13
      • November 15
      • November 19
      • November 22
      • November 26
      • November 28
    • October Meditations >
      • October 1
      • October 3
      • October 6
      • October 8
      • October 11
      • October 13
      • October 16
      • October 19
      • October 22
      • October 25
      • October 28
      • October 30
    • September 2024 Meditations
    • August 2024 Meditations
    • July 2024 Meditations
    • June 2024 Meditations
    • May 2024 Meditations
    • April 2024 Meditations
    • March 2024 Meditations
    • February 2024 Meditations
    • January 2024 Meditations
    • 2023 Meditations >
      • December 2023 Meditations
      • November 2023 Meditations
      • October 2023 Meditations
      • September 2023 Meditations
      • August 2023 Meditations
      • July 2023 Meditations
      • June 2023 Meditations
      • May 2023 Meditations
      • April 2023 Meditations
      • March 2023 Meditations
      • February 2023 Meditations
      • January 2023 Meditations
    • 2022 Daily Meditations >
      • February 2022 Meditatons
      • March 2022 Meditations
      • April 2022 Meditations
      • May 2022 Meditations
      • June 2022 Meditations
      • July 2022 Meditations
      • August 2022 Meditations
      • September 2022 Meditations
      • October 2022 Meditations
      • November 2022 Meditations
      • December 2022 Meditations
    • 2021 Daily Meditations >
      • January 2021 Meditations
      • February 2021 Meditations
      • March 2021 Meditations
      • April 2021 Meditations
      • May 2021 Meditations
      • June 2021 Meditations
      • July 2021 Meditations
      • August 2021 Meditations
      • September 2021 Meditations
      • October 2021 Meditations
      • November 2021 Meditations
      • December 2021 Meditations
    • 2020 Daily Meditations >
      • January 2020 Archive
      • February 2020 Archive
      • March 2020 Archive
      • April 2020 Archive
      • May 2020 Archive
      • June 2020 Archive
      • July 2020 Archive
      • August 2020 Archive
      • September 2020 Archive
      • October 2020 Archive
      • November 2020 Archive
      • December 2020 Archive
    • 2019 Daily Meditations >
      • January 2019 Archive
      • February 2019 Archive
      • March 2019 Archive
      • April 2019 Archive
      • May 2019 Archive
      • June 2019 Archive
      • July 2019 Archive
      • August 2019 Archive
      • September 2019 Archive
      • October 2019 Archive
      • November 2019 Archive
      • December 2019 Archive
    • 2018 Daily Meditations >
      • December 2018 Archive
      • November 2018 Archive
      • October 2018 Archive
      • September 2018 Archive
      • August 2018 Archive
      • July 2018 Archive
      • June 2018 Archive
      • May 2018 Archive
      • April 2018 Archive
      • March 2018 Archive
      • February 2018 Archive
      • January 2018 Archive
    • 2017 Daily Meditations >
      • January 2017 Archive
      • February 2017 Archive
      • March 2017 Archive
      • April 2017 Archive
      • May 2017 Archive
      • June 2017 Archive
      • July 2017 Archive
      • August 2017 Archive
      • September 2017 Archive
      • October 2017 Archive
      • November 2017 Archive
      • December 2017 Archive
  • Special Bible Studies
    • Do you hold a grudge?
    • Have you actually asked for God's help?
    • Forgiveness and Healing
    • Sin is the cause of all your problems
    • Amazing Grace!
    • For when you battle something big...
    • Is there a Resurrection of the Dead?
    • Deeply hidden sin
    • Are you consumed by worry?
    • What does it mean to be holy before God?
    • Is God punishing you?
    • Spiritual Warfare
    • Stubborn?
    • How often do you pray?
    • Have doubts?
    • Who are you listening to?
    • Emotional Black Holes
    • Unanswered prayers?
    • Have you compromised your faith?
    • Life in the pits...
    • Is your life in a rut?
    • Demonic Influences?
    • Let God Ease Your Burdens!
    • Danger of Success
    • Feeling alone
    • Are you broken-hearted?
    • Feel vulnerable?
    • Is God pushing you?
    • Do you lack faith
    • Being Tested
    • Your Place in Heaven
    • Does your past haunt you?
    • Is worldliness creeping into your life?
    • What is acceptable worship?
    • Angry?
    • Spiritual Radar
    • Can you be obedient to God?
    • Courage in the Face of Trials
    • Does Hell Exist
    • A Sin of Omission
    • When Life Gets Crazy
    • When God is Silent
    • Weakness
    • On Death and Dying
    • Feeling Guilty for no Reason?
    • Is wealth damaging your faith?
    • Satans Games
    • Death and Eternal Life
    • Depression
    • Family Problems
    • False Guilt
    • Food Issues
    • A Lack of Forgiveness
    • Frustration
    • Jealousy or Envy
    • Life out of Balance
    • Lying to Yourself or Others
    • Getting Married
    • Missions and Outreach
    • Prayer Life
    • Repentance
    • Sharing the Faith
    • Socialism
    • Stressed out
    • Impatience
    • Too Hard on Yourself
  • Uplifting Video for the Day
  • Videos for Reflection
    • Videos for Reflection 2
    • Videos for Reflection 3
    • Videos for Reflection 4
    • Videos for Reflection 5
    • Videos for Reflection 6
    • Videos for Reflection 7
    • Videos for Reflection 8
    • Videos for Reflection 9
    • Videos for Reflection 10
    • Videos for Reflection 11
    • Videos for Reflection 12
    • Videos for Reflection 13
    • Videos for Reflection 14
    • Videos for Reflection 15
    • Videos for Reflection 16
  • Standing up for God
    • Jatya
    • Archbishop Mouche
    • Pastor Andrew Brunson
    • Our Coptic Christian Friends
    • Petr Jasek
  • Bible Challenge Gateway
  • Faith Issues in the Modern World
    • Preacher Arrested for Protesting Pride Event
    • Christians Attacked by ISIS in Mozambique
    • The Pope Changes Lord's Prayer
    • Museum of the Bible Washington DC USA
    • Persecution at All-Time High
    • Suicide Bombing in Pakistan Christian Church
    • Attack by Muslim terrorists against Egyptian Church
    • Underground Christians in China
    • More Persecution of Chinese Christians
    • The Growing Church in Iran
    • Christian Parenting Failing God
  • Video Studies
    • Video Bible Study Introduction
    • Prayer in the Bible
    • Faith Hebrews 11
  • Walls of Inspiration
    • Wall of Inspiration 1
    • Wall of Inspiration 2
    • Wall of Inspiration 3
    • Wall of Inspiration 4
    • Wall of Inspiration 5
    • Wall of Inspiration 6
    • Wall of Inspiration 7
    • Wall of Inspiration 8
    • Wall of Inspiration 9
    • Wall of Inspiration 10
    • Wall of Inspiration 11
    • Wall of Inspiration 12
    • Wall of Inspiration 13
    • Wall of Inspiration 14
    • Wall of Inspiration 15
    • Wall of Inspiration 16
    • Wall of Inspiration 17
    • Wall of Inspiration 18
    • Wall of Inspiration 19
    • Wall of Inspiration 20
    • Wall of Inspiration 21
  • Bible Helps
  • Stories of God's Power
  • Comments
  • Bible Challenge Badge Earners

January 31

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
 (Philippians 2:4, ESV)
Picture
So often, people gloss over entire sections of the Bible.  Sadly, this means that some people have not read whole portions of God’s word.  I know Christians who find the Old Testament boring.  I know believers who feel the book of Revelation to be enigmatic.  Some find the letters of Paul tedious.  All these Christians, among others, are missing out.  There are gems of wisdom, knowledge, and learning scattered all throughout the pages of the Bible!
 
In Numbers 32, often skimmed over by most Bible readers, there is an interesting story of note.   The story consists of a conversation between Moses and the leaders of two tribes: Reuben and Gad.   On the way to the promised land, Israel passed through Jazer and Gilead.  This area was perfect for cattle.  Leaders from Reuben and Gad asked Moses if they could take over the area around Jazer and Gilead for their cattle.  Moses immediately chastised the leaders for their proposal.  The promised land was still unsettled.  War was still going on.   Moses said to the leaders from Reuben and Gad, “Shall your brothers go to the war while you sit here?” (Numbers 32:6, ESV).  In essence, the leaders of Reuben and Gad were only looking out for themselves.  They wanted to take over the best land for their own cattle and opt out of the war altogether, leaving the other tribes of Israel to keep fighting while they enjoyed the fruits of the land!    Moses would have none of it.   He even cautioned the leaders of Reuben and Gad that their selfish proposal was likely to anger God Almighty (Numbers 32:10).   
 
Based on Numbers 32, it is plain to see that God does not like selfishness.   Many other scriptures support this line of thinking.  Philippians 2:3 states: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”  James adds to this discussion with these words:  “…if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.” (James 3:14–15).  What is very interesting about this passage from James is that it equates selfish ambition with evil/demonic forces.    Thus, you could even say that selfishness is “anti-God”!  
 
The scripture for today piles on against a selfish way of life.   As our chosen scripture for today, it reiterates that “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4).   Hedonistic and self-serving humanistic ideals often promote people who look out for themselves, who are successful, who make a lot of money, or who have a lot of clout.    These worldly ideals are in direct contradiction to the nature of God.  Where God is selfless, worldly ideas are often selfish.  Where God is giving, worldly ideas are often demanding, manipulative, or self-serving.   Where God practices mercy and grace, the world often withholds these in favor of vengeance, greed, and pride.    In the late 1900’s, the church often suffered with the advent of the “me generation”.  Is it no surprise that as the “me generation” gained prominence that the number of Christians in the United States declined?
 
Philippians 2:4 puts a challenge to you this day.   Are you going to look to your own interests or God’s interests?   Are you going to be selfish or giving?  Are you going to hold back your love unless you get your way or are you going to share Godly love with grace?  Are you on God’s side or the side of the world?
 
I once met a woman who twisted the scripture for today to mean something shamefully sinful.   People can do that.  They can quote a scripture entirely out of context with the purpose of manipulation or sinful self-promotion.   This woman was nosy.  She liked to include herself in everyone’s business.  She was a gossip.  Sadly, she also proclaimed herself a Christian, which her selfishness proved she was not.  She often used the scripture for today from Philippians 2:4 to insinuate that she had a right to gossip about “the interests of others” in order to help them.  Her words and actions seldom helped and often hurt others.   Her quote of the scripture was correct.   Her attitude was not.  She relished juicy gossip.  In her church, people would go silent around her, knowing that her intent was to use the information she garnered for her own self-promotion.
 
Our world is overly concerned with selfishness.  Greediness is looked upon as a sign of success.   People take offense at others for the smallest of differences.  People go online not to uplift others but to troll others.  People join social media in order to compare themselves, display a prideful image, or put down others who think differently. Nasty people go online in order to promote hatred, push the buttons of others, or encourage dissention and division.   News media tend to collect the worst selfish people.  They shamelessly promote one candidate or ideology over another and call it “unbiased reporting”.   They argue a point out of selfish concern depending on who is paying the bills.  As James 3:14-15 informed us, those who are controlled by selfish ambition are “earthly, unspiritual, and demonic”.  
 
At a marathon in Florida, young Ben Baltz (age 11) ran into a terrible problem.  While running, his prosthetic leg broke loose.  A screw had come undone.  The boy was heartbroken and tried hopping to finish the race.  Several military men in the race saw Ben struggling.  One marine, Private First Class Corry Station, put Ben on his back and carried him to the finish line.   Other military men gathered around them so they could all finish at the same time.  They made sure that Corry Station had all the help he needed.   It was just one more godly example of “looking out for the interests of others” that is promoted in our scripture for today.
 
If you look out for the interests of others, you don’t look to further yourself by helping.  You seek to benefit another, not yourself.  It is a selfless act, where no selfish ambition is involved.   If you find yourself only helping when you get something out of it, you don’t understand this scripture.  One would even say that you don’t understand the will of God if you can’t selflessly offer mercy and grace and love. 
 
How well do you practice love “in the interest of others”?   Are you a giving person?  Do you give with strings attached?   Do you want to get noticed when you do something nice?   Do you look to the interests of others from a pure heart or for self-benefit?   Who have you helped in godly fashion in the past few weeks?  Go ahead, name each one.   God is listening….. and you need to get this right!  

click here to view other January Daily Meditations
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
  • Daily Meditation
  • Past Daily Meditations
    • 2025 Meditations
    • June Meditations >
      • June 2
      • June 4
      • June 7
      • June 11
      • June 14
      • June 17
    • May Meditations >
      • May 1
      • May 5
      • May 7
      • May 10
      • May 13
      • May 15
      • May 19
      • May 22
      • May 24
      • May 27
      • May 30
    • April Meditations >
      • April 1
      • April 5
      • April 8
      • April 10
      • April 14
      • April 18
      • April 23
      • April 25
      • April 28
    • March Meditations >
      • March 4
      • March 6
      • March 9
      • March 11
      • March 13
      • March 16
      • March 19
      • March 22
      • March 26
      • March 28
    • February Meditations >
      • February 4
      • February 6
      • February 9
      • February 11
      • February 15
      • February 18
      • February 21
      • February 25
      • February 28
    • January Meditations >
      • January 4
      • January 7
      • January 9
      • January 12
      • January 15
      • January 18
      • January 22
      • January 24
      • January 26
      • January 28
      • January 31
    • 2024 Meditations
    • December Meditations >
      • December 2
      • December 5
      • December 8
      • December 10
      • December 12
      • December 15
      • December 18
      • December 21
      • December 24
      • December 27
      • December 30
    • November Meditations >
      • November 2
      • November 5
      • November 8
      • November 10
      • November 13
      • November 15
      • November 19
      • November 22
      • November 26
      • November 28
    • October Meditations >
      • October 1
      • October 3
      • October 6
      • October 8
      • October 11
      • October 13
      • October 16
      • October 19
      • October 22
      • October 25
      • October 28
      • October 30
    • September 2024 Meditations
    • August 2024 Meditations
    • July 2024 Meditations
    • June 2024 Meditations
    • May 2024 Meditations
    • April 2024 Meditations
    • March 2024 Meditations
    • February 2024 Meditations
    • January 2024 Meditations
    • 2023 Meditations >
      • December 2023 Meditations
      • November 2023 Meditations
      • October 2023 Meditations
      • September 2023 Meditations
      • August 2023 Meditations
      • July 2023 Meditations
      • June 2023 Meditations
      • May 2023 Meditations
      • April 2023 Meditations
      • March 2023 Meditations
      • February 2023 Meditations
      • January 2023 Meditations
    • 2022 Daily Meditations >
      • February 2022 Meditatons
      • March 2022 Meditations
      • April 2022 Meditations
      • May 2022 Meditations
      • June 2022 Meditations
      • July 2022 Meditations
      • August 2022 Meditations
      • September 2022 Meditations
      • October 2022 Meditations
      • November 2022 Meditations
      • December 2022 Meditations
    • 2021 Daily Meditations >
      • January 2021 Meditations
      • February 2021 Meditations
      • March 2021 Meditations
      • April 2021 Meditations
      • May 2021 Meditations
      • June 2021 Meditations
      • July 2021 Meditations
      • August 2021 Meditations
      • September 2021 Meditations
      • October 2021 Meditations
      • November 2021 Meditations
      • December 2021 Meditations
    • 2020 Daily Meditations >
      • January 2020 Archive
      • February 2020 Archive
      • March 2020 Archive
      • April 2020 Archive
      • May 2020 Archive
      • June 2020 Archive
      • July 2020 Archive
      • August 2020 Archive
      • September 2020 Archive
      • October 2020 Archive
      • November 2020 Archive
      • December 2020 Archive
    • 2019 Daily Meditations >
      • January 2019 Archive
      • February 2019 Archive
      • March 2019 Archive
      • April 2019 Archive
      • May 2019 Archive
      • June 2019 Archive
      • July 2019 Archive
      • August 2019 Archive
      • September 2019 Archive
      • October 2019 Archive
      • November 2019 Archive
      • December 2019 Archive
    • 2018 Daily Meditations >
      • December 2018 Archive
      • November 2018 Archive
      • October 2018 Archive
      • September 2018 Archive
      • August 2018 Archive
      • July 2018 Archive
      • June 2018 Archive
      • May 2018 Archive
      • April 2018 Archive
      • March 2018 Archive
      • February 2018 Archive
      • January 2018 Archive
    • 2017 Daily Meditations >
      • January 2017 Archive
      • February 2017 Archive
      • March 2017 Archive
      • April 2017 Archive
      • May 2017 Archive
      • June 2017 Archive
      • July 2017 Archive
      • August 2017 Archive
      • September 2017 Archive
      • October 2017 Archive
      • November 2017 Archive
      • December 2017 Archive
  • Special Bible Studies
    • Do you hold a grudge?
    • Have you actually asked for God's help?
    • Forgiveness and Healing
    • Sin is the cause of all your problems
    • Amazing Grace!
    • For when you battle something big...
    • Is there a Resurrection of the Dead?
    • Deeply hidden sin
    • Are you consumed by worry?
    • What does it mean to be holy before God?
    • Is God punishing you?
    • Spiritual Warfare
    • Stubborn?
    • How often do you pray?
    • Have doubts?
    • Who are you listening to?
    • Emotional Black Holes
    • Unanswered prayers?
    • Have you compromised your faith?
    • Life in the pits...
    • Is your life in a rut?
    • Demonic Influences?
    • Let God Ease Your Burdens!
    • Danger of Success
    • Feeling alone
    • Are you broken-hearted?
    • Feel vulnerable?
    • Is God pushing you?
    • Do you lack faith
    • Being Tested
    • Your Place in Heaven
    • Does your past haunt you?
    • Is worldliness creeping into your life?
    • What is acceptable worship?
    • Angry?
    • Spiritual Radar
    • Can you be obedient to God?
    • Courage in the Face of Trials
    • Does Hell Exist
    • A Sin of Omission
    • When Life Gets Crazy
    • When God is Silent
    • Weakness
    • On Death and Dying
    • Feeling Guilty for no Reason?
    • Is wealth damaging your faith?
    • Satans Games
    • Death and Eternal Life
    • Depression
    • Family Problems
    • False Guilt
    • Food Issues
    • A Lack of Forgiveness
    • Frustration
    • Jealousy or Envy
    • Life out of Balance
    • Lying to Yourself or Others
    • Getting Married
    • Missions and Outreach
    • Prayer Life
    • Repentance
    • Sharing the Faith
    • Socialism
    • Stressed out
    • Impatience
    • Too Hard on Yourself
  • Uplifting Video for the Day
  • Videos for Reflection
    • Videos for Reflection 2
    • Videos for Reflection 3
    • Videos for Reflection 4
    • Videos for Reflection 5
    • Videos for Reflection 6
    • Videos for Reflection 7
    • Videos for Reflection 8
    • Videos for Reflection 9
    • Videos for Reflection 10
    • Videos for Reflection 11
    • Videos for Reflection 12
    • Videos for Reflection 13
    • Videos for Reflection 14
    • Videos for Reflection 15
    • Videos for Reflection 16
  • Standing up for God
    • Jatya
    • Archbishop Mouche
    • Pastor Andrew Brunson
    • Our Coptic Christian Friends
    • Petr Jasek
  • Bible Challenge Gateway
  • Faith Issues in the Modern World
    • Preacher Arrested for Protesting Pride Event
    • Christians Attacked by ISIS in Mozambique
    • The Pope Changes Lord's Prayer
    • Museum of the Bible Washington DC USA
    • Persecution at All-Time High
    • Suicide Bombing in Pakistan Christian Church
    • Attack by Muslim terrorists against Egyptian Church
    • Underground Christians in China
    • More Persecution of Chinese Christians
    • The Growing Church in Iran
    • Christian Parenting Failing God
  • Video Studies
    • Video Bible Study Introduction
    • Prayer in the Bible
    • Faith Hebrews 11
  • Walls of Inspiration
    • Wall of Inspiration 1
    • Wall of Inspiration 2
    • Wall of Inspiration 3
    • Wall of Inspiration 4
    • Wall of Inspiration 5
    • Wall of Inspiration 6
    • Wall of Inspiration 7
    • Wall of Inspiration 8
    • Wall of Inspiration 9
    • Wall of Inspiration 10
    • Wall of Inspiration 11
    • Wall of Inspiration 12
    • Wall of Inspiration 13
    • Wall of Inspiration 14
    • Wall of Inspiration 15
    • Wall of Inspiration 16
    • Wall of Inspiration 17
    • Wall of Inspiration 18
    • Wall of Inspiration 19
    • Wall of Inspiration 20
    • Wall of Inspiration 21
  • Bible Helps
  • Stories of God's Power
  • Comments
  • Bible Challenge Badge Earners