Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Philippians 2:3

Note the day when you stopped thinking of yourself first and foremost. That day was the beginning of your maturity.

For the first years of life we are almost completely concerned about our own needs. We are insecure. We worry that we will not be taken care of. We grasp every chance to ensure our own rights. When the pie is divided, we want the biggest piece or, at least, as much as the next person. It takes a long time before our attitude changes. But gradually it does -- when someone captures our heart. Soon that other person -- the beloved -- assumes first place in our attentions. We begin to make sacrifices for the loved one. We value the person more than his or her possessions. This turning point is reached at different times with each person. Some may reach it at a relatively young age; others, tragically never.

With Christians it is the love of Jesus and their love for Him that triggers the turnaround. "He must become greater; I must become less'" (John 3:30) becomes the Christian's way of life. At that moment maturity sets in -- and a useful life begins.

PRAYER: Loving Savior, give me the mind that was in You so I may serve You and those whom You have redeemed. Amen.

(Devotions from "The Abundant Life" copyright 1998, CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. Permission is granted for one-time e-mailing of this link to a friend. For information on other devotional material, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit CPH at www.cph.org.)

Today's Bible Readings: Psalms 136, 146    1 Corinthians 3

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