Day 9-"Help me be considerate." Phil.2:4

"Look not every man on his own things but every man also on the things of others." Phil 2:4 (the cause)

Look-regard, consider, take heed.
man-every (man, one, woman)
things-to all in their inflections=change in number, (sometimes to be supplied)
own-myself, thyself, ourselves, yourself, etc.
others-another, else, next (day), some

Basically I'm not to be selfish. It's saying to be to not me so close minded and stuck on my own self & it's desires and needs. I need to be considerate of others and not just putting others before me but also taking in consideration how my words and actions my affect another...like living a life of respect. Examples that come to my mind are being considerate of another's feelings before I speak. Or giving up a need to help someone else. Like money, food, time, or even something as simple as sacrificing where I want to go out to eat to please the other person who may not want to eat there.( The effect) Sacrifice for the salvation of others. That will make more sense if you keep you reading.

1 Corinthians 10:33-"Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking my own (charity, unselfishness) profit, but the profit of many , that they may be saved."

profit-advantage
saved-deliver, protect, heal, preserve, to do well, make whole.

So what I got from sacrifice for the salvation of others is that in my being considerate, I may save someone from disappointment. Sacrificing my time to help someone (listening to them, praying with them, assist in a job etc) my save them by healing a broken spirit, by making them not feel so overwhelmed....there are many ways my consideration can save someone. I'm understanding now, just how considerate Jesus was. These behaviors are making me a better and more effective Christian because they are Christ like acts. He is the ultimate example of consideration. He prayed that God would spare Him from the cross but he also said,"Thy will be done." He, being able with all power to save himself disregarded that ability, regarded us, & now the salvation of our souls in our profit. His profit was the defeating of Satan which we get the victory through. Jesus did not live to please Himself. He put the world first.I believe that what another profits can be either tangible, emotional, physical, or spiritual through my consideration and disregard for my own self. "Do unto others as you'd have them do unto you","If you sow sparingly you reap sparingly." Basically the more unselfish and considerate I am, the more I profit as well. It's not about what I give up for another, but I do it with the assurance that the other will be saved in some way. That, in the end, is a great profit!

My Prayer-"Dear Lord, you said that you'd supply all my needs according to your riches and glory & that if I delight myself in you, you'd give me the desires of my heart. Help me to put others first with the comfort that no matter what I give up(time, money, clothes, a desire, etc) that it bring a soul to you by using me to reveal your glory in my behavior. Don't let me hesitate knowing that my loss will be returned. Phil. 3:8 says,"Yea DOUBLES & I count ALL THINGS but loss for the excellency of Jesus Christ my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, & I do count them dung, that I may win Christ." You are it! All things I hold dear or worth giving up for you so that I & others may win You in ALL you are. Help me consider this in all do. After all, it's not about me. It's about you & those that my be lost & the wounded Christians. Remind me that my ultimate profit is in heaven, not here. In Jesus' name. Amen.