1 Corinthians 13:5 *"...it is not self-seeking,...*"
*LOVE IS NOT SELF-SEEKING*
I read about two kids who got one T-shirt for Christmas. Both of them fought over who will have it first. The first child said, “I saw it first, so it’s mine.” The second child said, “But it fits me better, so I should have it.” They fought. The shirt tore. Nobody wore it.
That’s self-seeking love. Both of them thought about what they could get not what the other person could get. Self-seeking love focuses on what self will get not what the other person will get. It is a selfish kind of love.
Philippians 2:3-4 says, *“In humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others*".
Self-seeking love is the reason some leaders will embezzle the state purse dry just to satisfy themselves and secure their children's future not minding whether the masses are doing well or not. This is the bane of leadership today, especially in Africa.
Self-seeking love is destroying some marriages today. Someone in the marriage wants all attention focused on him/her yet not doing anything for the other person. They want to receive all the love yet not ready to give love to their spouses.
In kingdom ministry, those that are possessed by the spirit of self-seeking love wants position, and recognition but God's love says, “Let the work succeed, even if my name is not on it.” Do you know why God's kingdom has not expanded as fast as it should?
Men are seeking self-glory and fame on a kingdom task. They want their name associated with it and will stop at nothing until they get the credit. This is not the mindset of a kingdom person. I don't care who gets the work of the Great Commission done, what matters to me is that the job gets done.
John the Baptist says, *“He must increase, I must decrease*”(John 3:30).
Christ is our model in selfless love. Romans 5:8 says *"While we were still sinners, Christ died for us*". Jesus gained nothing. He gave everything. That’s love. Let us emulate Him.
In addition to emulating Christ, practice the 1% Rule. Every day, do one thing that benefits someone else with no benefit to you. That is the way to overcome the self-seeking attitude.
Father, help me to love like Christ