The art of selflessness is letting go of expectations (Luke 6:35). Expecting something in return for doing a good deed is a set up for disappointment. Nothing spiritual comes from self-searching motives. The purity of selflessness is anonymity. And it pleases God when we do something for someone without personal recognition.

Our best teacher of selflessness is God. Our Father’s undeniable love and unselfish sacrifice of Christ proves His selflessness. God wants to save everyone and His altruistic plan defines His love for humanity. It’s sad to realize not everyone hears God’s call, and this makes helping others crucial in our Christian journey.

It isn’t hard being unselfish to those we love, but when a stranger asks this becomes a tougher challenge. A major stumbling block in reaching out to a unfamiliar person is self-centered fear. Fearfulness in uncertainty isn’t the Christian’s way because Christ has given us eternal security and the courage to do God’s will. With Christ’s armor, we are not afraid because our strength comes from God. Remember we are no longer apart from God’s kingdom and need to live in His purpose. Don’t be troubled over the reasons people ask for your help because it’s better to give than disobey.

 

In the Gospel of Matthew, we find God’s commands of selflessness. Christ said when He comes in the day of judgement; He will separate the righteous nations from the selfish ones (Matthew 25:32-33).

To the righteous Christ said; Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world (Matthew 25:34). God never forgets those who love Him and rewards them with eternal grace.

Christ said this concerning selflessness. “For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you visited me; I was in prison and you came to me,” (Matthew 25:35-36). Here, Christ is conveying God’s approval for doing right. Those actions radiate the compassion God’s Spirit places inside the hearts of the faithful.

Those human problems are a call for action from Christ to help others. Here Christ shows the responses a Spirit-filled life takes when confronted with those needing comfort. The essence of selflessness is staying aware of one’s environment, noticing other’s struggles and providing help. And Christ has left us no doubt salvation includes putting aside personal interests and working for the welfare of others.

Jesus identified hunger, thirst, strangers, nakedness, sickness and incarceration as examples of needy things. And Christ shows us the actions necessary in providing those needs. Selflessness is the core of kindness. Every time we give of ourselves with a pure heart, it pleases God.

Christ identified the eternal outcome of the unrighteous. “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). God’s displeasure with evil doers is harsh, and the Bible is full of scriptures addressing His disappointment with disbelievers. We can’t escape God’s rules and if we don’t repent our eternal resting place won’t be with Him.

Our Messiah’s message is telling us when we help others we are extending God’s provisions. And by following God’s will our knowledge of eternity becomes reality. Jesus didn’t leave out the penalty for disobeying this truth. He pointed this out to the selfish. “Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me” (Matthew 25:45).

Christ finishes His message with a warning. “And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life” (Matthew 25:46). God’s truth on helping others is obvious. Repentance is the key, and the good deed of selflessness is an act of repentance.

Another place to practice altruism is in adjusting our personal agenda to help aid others. Sometimes our lives become busy and when someone asks for help we say no. Yes, we have times when we can’t stop the task at hand and help. God understands, but if we do this every time we need to examine ourselves and take an honest look at our motives. Often our greatest spiritual growth comes from stopping what we are doing and help others.

God never stops reaching out His hand to give us help. Christ doesn’t say “I’m too busy find someone else.” Our holy purpose is to glorify God, and when we make ourselves unavailable to others, we have fallen off the narrow way. Each of us and often unintentional is selfish.  Salvation doesn’t make us perfect, but it’s not an excuse to discard God’s will.

When I was a drunkard selfishness fueled my heart. I made myself the center of attention and focused on my plans. I had no room to be selfless because self-gratification ruled my motives. Sin had overtaken my spirit and enslaved to a life of darkness. I’m grateful for God because Christ has broken the chains of my evil ways.

It brings me great joy to share with you Christ’s Good News. Today He has opened my eyes and given me many opportunities to help others. And when I act on those God’s grace emerges and inspires me to become a better servant. I struggle with selflessness and experience the pains of selfishness but the more I pick up my cross those times are becoming less. I love Christ and want to learn from His wisdom and one way I can show Him my love is helping others.

One of the most gratifying Christian experience is doing something for someone without them knowing. Selfless giving is rewarding, uplifting and full of God’s love. God makes no mistakes and rejoices when one of His children acts out of the kindness of the heart and stays unnoticed. And the result selflessness brings is experiencing a stronger bond with Christ.