Self-Love or Loving Others First?

Self-love or loving others first? Brethren, have you ever thought about this question before? And if you did, was your answer in conformity with what Yahshua, the Savior of humanity, instructed in the Bible?

In this message, I’ll dive more deeply and share with you not just my own thoughts but what the holy Scripture says about the subject of today’s message.

In today’s world, it is easy to fall into the trap of putting oneself above all else. In a society that glorifies individualism and self-promotion, it can be tempting to focus solely on our own wants and needs, rather than the needs of others. But the Bible teaches us a different way, one that puts love and concern for others before ourselves.

Yahshua Himself demonstrated this principle through His teachings and His life. He frequently spoke about the importance of putting others first and serving them with humility and compassion. He lived this out by healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and showing kindness and mercy to all he encountered.

One of the most well-known examples of this principle is the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). In this parable, a man is beaten and left for dead on the side of the road. A priest and a Levite both pass him by without helping, but a Samaritan man, who would have been looked down upon by the Jews, stops to help. He tends to the man’s wounds, takes him to an inn, and pays for his care.

In the biblical account above, the Samaritan put aside his own potential prejudices and discomfort to help someone in need, and Yahshua held him up as an example for all of us to follow.

Putting others first also means putting aside our own desires and priorities. In Philippians 2:3-4, Paul writes, “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 the others.”

Yes, we are all called to humble ourselves and consider the needs of others before our own desires! We need to put others’ needs before our own and practice the real definition and true meaning of love in our lives, as you can read here.

In addition, when we put others first, we often find that our own needs are taken care of in the process. As we show love and compassion to others, we build relationships and create a sense of community that can be a source of support and encouragement in our own lives.

Putting love and concern for others before ourselves may not be the easiest path to take, but it is one that is rooted in love and guided by the principles of the Bible. By following this principle, we can build strong and meaningful relationships, help those in need, and create a world that is filled with kindness, compassion, and love.

But why should we prioritize others over ourselves? The answer lies in Yahshua’s command to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31). We are called to love others just as we love ourselves, and when we do so, we reflect the love of Yahshua to the world.

Additionally, when we help others, we often find that our own needs and desires are met in unexpected ways. As Yahshua said in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first His (Yahweh) kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

So yes, we’re all instructed by Yahshua the Messiah to put others’ needs before our own wants! Selfishness or being “selfies” in both our words and/or actions is going against Yahshua’s teachings from the Bible! Now, is it self-love or loving others first? The answer to this is very clear my dear brothers and sisters.

In conclusion, putting love and concern for others before ourselves may seem counterintuitive in today’s society, but it is a biblical principle that leads to a life of joy and fulfillment.

When we prioritize others, we reflect the love of Messiah (Savior) and serve a world that desperately needs it. As we seek to follow Yahshua’s example, may we continually strive to love others as He loved us. Halleluyah! Shalom.