To Be or Not To Be

Definition of Altruism:

- Noun: disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others.

- Zoology: behaviour of an animal that benefits another at its own expense.

Q: Wanna be happy?

A: Be unselfish. Be altruistic.

Q: How can giving others happiness make us happy?

A: We are fulfilling our God-given purpose.

When God said, "Let us make man in our own image", God gave us the altruistic qualities of Himself, alongside the facial and bodily features.

That means that when we live unselfish lives, fully dedicated to the service of others - we exercise our Godlike qualities through His power. These are the happy-making qualities because all the Lord desires for us is happiness.

However, sin likes destroying what God intends for good. 

Here is what we need to caution:

The service to others should not come from a heart that feels forced to give. God only accepts unselfish acts that come from a cheerful heart. Otherwise, resentment builds up toward the other. When this happens, you have completely lost the plot.

Give, serve, love out of the goodness of your heart. Not out of complaining or grudgingly. You will not be happy and that influence will transfer to others. They will sense that you are not happy, and thus, you will do more good than harm.

Challenge: If you struggle to live a selfless life, but you would like to experience the happiness that comes from being altruistic, ASK GOD TO HELP YOU. Ask God to place within your heart a desire to be unselfish, a desire to serve others. He will most definitely answer this prayer because it is in accordance with His Word.

All of heaven is filled with the fragrance of unselfish service to the universe. If we can't be unselfish now, heaven will be very irritating for us. 

Looking to Jesus as our most unselfish Examplar, spread His love everywhere you go. Be a happy, cheerful, altruistic Christian! 

"Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;... Distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality." (Romans 12:10 & 13)

Worth the Sacrifice

"...the life of Jesus was a call to SELF-SURRENDER, and to fellowship in SUFFERING."

Following Jesus means doing exactly that - surrender self to the Father's will and suffering for Christ's sake.

That doesn't sound appealing.

But when we remind ourselves of the eternal reward that we will receive for our temporary sacrifice, we will understand that following Christ, though difficult, is worth it.

Jesus gave up all. 

Love expects us to do the same.

But we don't give up all to get nothing in return. In God's kingdom, we are investing. Investing in eternity. We will get our reward, with interest! 

And, oh! What a reward it is! To sit at the right hand of the throne of God. To be heirs of His glorious kingdom. To be in the Heavenly courts one day alongside angels and loved ones! To spend time with Jesus for time and eternity!

It's a beautiful reward, isn't it?!

Challenge: Focus on the blessings of serving Christ. It will make your cross a lot easier to bear.

"...looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Hebrews 12:4