Your Own or the Other’s Best

Your Own or the Other’s Best

“Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s best.” 1 Cor. 10:24. It is quite natural for every person to seek his own, and this stays with him after he is converted.

Among his precious co-workers, the apostle Paul did not have more than the one Timothy whom he could commend. All the others sought their own. Phil. 2:19-22.

From this we gather that there is much that is hidden and hard in our self-life (seeking our own), and this is so natural for people that it doesn’t even occur to them that it is wrong. Therefore, it takes unwavering and unreserved devotion to God to deal it a decisive blow. We can judge ourselves in a matter that we understand; but because it is so hidden, there will always be something that is left.

If only I get a good place, good food, considerate attention, etc., then I am fine and am glad and satisfied. This pitiful joy of receiving something for myself is an earthly and sensual joy; on the other hand, helping my neighbor to achieve something good gives me a heavenly joy when it is done in faith.

Am I then not permitted to enjoy myself and be treated with consideration? All things are lawful for you. But not all things are profitable. You are not being saved by seeking your own but by seeking the other’s best. For example, it is not always love that compels you to do this or that; it may be a desire for gain or some other advantage that urges you on. What I achieve by that is an earthly joy, and the understanding I demonstrate thereby is from below. Only the mind of Christ can turn this evil upside down.

Jesus was with the Father, and everything was very good where He was, but out of love for mankind, hurtling toward destruction and unable to not help themselves, He left His heavenly glory and came down to earth in order to suffer and die a shameful death. By doing this, He redeemed us, so that now everyone who wills can follow Him. We are admonished to let His mind be in us, and we are also admonished to love one another just as He loved us.

“There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, yet is not washed from its filthiness. There is a generation—oh, how lofty are their eyes! And their eyelids are lifted up. There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, and whose fangs are like knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.” Prov. 30:12-14.

We are descended from this generation, but in Jesus Christ we have changed generations: old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Nevertheless, much of the old hangs on, though it is hidden; but all of it must come to light, be separated, and be put to death.

Oh, the depth of the riches of God (Rom. 11:33); only Jesus has reached the bottom of it. But if you want to be rich, eternally rich, then, in the love of Christ, seek your neighbor’s best. Jesus will always be your Mediator and Helper in this