No one should seek their own good
1 Corinthians 10:24 - Only through asking God continually to free yourself from your selfish nature can you open your life to blessing others.
Image generated by ChatGPT (OpenAI) using the DALL·E model.
“No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.”
1 Corinthians 10:24 NIV
Let’s start with a little bit of context and background for today’s verse from the first epistle of Paul to the church of Corinth. This verse comes from a section of 1 Corinthians that has a subtitle in the NIV translation of the Bible — “The Believer’s Freedom”. Paul has just warned the new Christians to not follow the bad example of the people who followed Moses in the wilderness. God had freed them from slavery in Egypt through the miracle of passing through the sea, yet they complained.
When Moses went up on the mountain to receive the commandments from God, the people were so impatient that they coerced Aaron (the son of Moses) to make a golden calf they could worship… God was ready to wipe out these people, but Moses interceded on their behalf and some were saved.
The people of Israel griped about not having enough food. Moses pleaded with God, and the miracle of manna and quail fed the people… who then complained about an unvaried diet rather than praising God for sustenance. Paul makes good use of the people of Israel as an example of what the Christians should not emulate (1 Corinthians 10:7-10):
“Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.”
Paul wants the new Christians — whether they were former Jews who are now following Christ or Gentiles who may have worshipped idols — to understand that there are many examples in Scripture of bad behavior leading to bad results.
Enduring Word has a wonderful preface for 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 — “A principle to build on: don’t just avoid what is harmful, but pursue what is good.” What Paul is attempting to get across is that it’s not just enough to avoid the sins that trapped the Israelites, but Christian believers must also seek that which is good in everything they do.
In this verse, Paul tells the Corinthians to stop seeking good for themselves. This is very difficult — our intercessory prayer (praying on behalf of others) seems to be an endless wish list from people who earnestly want things to get better… usually for themselves. I’ll admit it; I pray harder for those who are asking for prayer on behalf of someone else than I do for those who are hoping that God “gets them” something.
Obeying Paul’s command here requires the Christian to “die to self” and show the selfless love of Christ. There’s no way that we as sinners can do that alone; we must depend on the Holy Spirit to teach us how to show that agape love.
Contemporary Canadian evangelical pastor Henry Blackaby wrote in his devotional Experiencing God Day by Day (cited in Precept Austin)
As a Christian you are obliged to view your actions in light of how they will affect other Christians. You will discover God’s will for your life when you consider His activity in the lives of others. This goes contrary to worldly thinking. The world encourages you to live your own life, taking care of your own needs and wants first. Sin promotes independence. It isolates you from others and separates you from those you could help or who could encourage you. God designed you for interdependence.
Whenever you meet another Christian, you come face to face with Christ (John 13:20). There ought to be a deep respect within you as you encounter other lives guided by the Holy Spirit. Do not live as if you have no responsibility toward your Christian brothers or sisters. God holds you accountable for how you relate to them. Don’t revel in your “freedom in Christ” to the point that you neglect your responsibility toward others (Rom. 14:15). Paul celebrated his freedom in Christ, but he was keenly sensitive to what might cause other Christians harm (1 Cor. 8:13). He was aware that his sin could not take place in isolation but could bring pain to many others (1 Cor. 5:6).
You have a responsibility to live in such a way that you do not hurt others. You must deny yourself and allow the Holy Spirit to put to death your natural inclination to be self-centered. As long as you focus on yourself, you will be oblivious to the needs of others. Ask God to free you from selfishness so that your life is free to bless others.
For most of us, denying ourselves and giving the Holy Spirit free rein to get rid of our self-centeredness is difficult. Only through asking God continually to free yourself from your selfish nature can you open your life to blessing others.
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Today’s prayer comes from Prayerz.org:
Dear God, please help me to not seek my own interests, but to always strive for the good of my neighbor. May I be selfless and compassionate, putting the needs of others before my own. Give me the strength and wisdom to love and serve those around me, just as you have loved and served us. AMEN.