What does the Bible say about helping others before helping yourself?
In Mark 10:45, Jesus says, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." This means that Jesus himself set an example of serving others and putting their needs before his own.
Helping others is an essential part of living a Christian life. The Bible teaches us to love our neighbors as ourselves and to put others' needs before our own. In this blog post, we will explore what the Bible has to say about helping others before helping ourselves.
The Bible and love for others
The Bible teaches us to love others as ourselves. In Matthew 22:39, Jesus says, "And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" This means that we should treat others with the same love and respect that we would want for ourselves.
Furthermore, the Bible teaches us that helping others is a way of showing love. In 1 John 3:17-18, it says, "If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." This means that true love is not just words or feelings, but it is demonstrated through actions and helping others.
The Bible and putting others first
The Bible also teaches us to put others' needs before our own. In Philippians 2:3-4, it says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." This means that we should not be focused on our own selfish desires, but we should be willing to put others' needs before our own.
Another way that the Bible teaches us to put others first is through serving. In Mark 10:45, Jesus says, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." This means that Jesus himself set an example of serving others and putting their needs before his own.
The Bible and helping those in need
The Bible also teaches us to help those in need. In James 2:14-17, it says, "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." This means that our faith should be demonstrated through our actions, including helping those in need.
Furthermore, the Bible teaches us to help others without expecting anything in return. In Luke 6:35, Jesus says, "But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked." This means that we should be willing to help even those who may not appreciate our help or who may be difficult to love.