Left to myself, I will sit around and vegetate. I know that other people don’t do this, but I do. Several years ago our Pembroke Corgi helped me discover a truth I had overlooked.
When I looked across the room at my dog who followed me from room to room and was happy to be wherever I was, I knew that he needed to walk. So, I got up, put on my shoes, found his leash and off we went. It was good for him, and it was good for me. I discovered that what I would not do for myself I would do for my dog.
This little act highlights an important point. We all need to be motivated for someone or something outside ourselves. I have heard it said, “If you won’t do it for someone else, do it for yourself!” But I have discovered that doing it for myself is the lowest and weakest motivator in my life.
Some have assumed that our democratic system works because it is based on self-interest. If everyone looks out for himself, seeks to make the biggest profit and accumulate the most wealth, it all just seems to work out for everybody. But that isn’t true. Our democratic system works because people are willing to sacrifice their own self-interest in the interest of others. The key to American democracy is selfless altruism — not greed.
Life is not like Monopoly. We don’t win by owning the largest number of properties, raising the rent and amassing stacks of money on our side of the board until we drive everyone else into bankruptcy. That might work for a board game, but even then the players seldom feel good about it. In life we win by giving ourselves away.
We are made in such a way that we must be called to something higher. We will endure great pain, hardship, discipline and even death for people we love and causes that challenge us.
When we live our lives and make our decisions based upon self-interest and self-gratification, we are led into dead end tributaries and into a shallow existence that results in isolation and loneliness. When we choose to orient our lives around serving and helping others, we launch out into the deep where we discover meaning and fulfillment.
Howard Hughes, one of the wealthiest men of the 20th century who spent lavishly to indulge his whims and idiosyncrasies, died a recluse, lonely, isolated and mentally deranged. The FBI had to resort to fingerprints to identify his body.
Mother Teresa, who was penniless, spent her life caring for the poor, sick, orphaned and dying. When she died in 1997, the Missionaries of Charity, which she founded, had over 1 million co-workers serving the poorest of the poor in 123 countries. In 2010, the 100th anniversary of her birth, she was honored around the world.
This is why the scripture urges us to put others first.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others,” (Philippians 2:3-4).
Jesus said, “Give and it shall be given to you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over shall men give into your bosom,” (Luke 6:38).
Bill Tinsley reflects on current events and life experience from a faith perspective. Visit www.tinsleycenter.com. Email bill@tinsleycenter.com
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: What I won’t do for myself | Opinion
Reporting by Bill Tinsley, Wichita Falls Times Record News / Wichita Falls Times Record News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Bill Tinsley, Wichita Falls Times Record News | USA TODAY Network
