The Death of Self-Interest
“Very truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” - John 12:24
This might be one of the most challenging ideas in society today - the death of self-interest. In the social media age we live in, everyone is given the opportunity to promote themselves. “Personal brands” have become all the rave, as anyone who has a smart phone can immediately begin building their own brand. Today more than ever, people have a voice and reach that used to only be accessible to those who were famous.
Now don’t get me wrong, social media in itself is not a bad thing. Social media only reveals the people who join. The platforms every individual now has access to can be used for great things. Just as previously mentioned, you now can gain more attention and reach than any previous generation. The question is… what are you going to do with that attention? God has called us to “live by the Spirit and do not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).
With all the opportunities to have your voice heard now, you have the ultimate choice to make. Will you choose to gratify your self-interest? To build up your own name? Or will you choose to promote God? To pursue the path He has planned for you, to make an impact for His kingdom?
These are the choices you must ask yourself. It’s easy to get lost in all the noise and to say what you want to say, but just think of the unbelievable opportunity you have to reach others for Christ. This does not mean you have to preach on your social feeds. Not everyone is called to serve in a church capacity. God uses athletes, musicians, artists, engineers, doctors, and every occupation imaginable.
It is not about what niche you decide to go in. But instead, will you use the gifts and talents he gave you to pursue His will for your life? Choose to let your self-interests die, and watch how God will promote you.
This might be one of the most challenging ideas in society today - the death of self-interest. In the social media age we live in, everyone is given the opportunity to promote themselves. “Personal brands” have become all the rave, as anyone who has a smart phone can immediately begin building their own brand. Today more than ever, people have a voice and reach that used to only be accessible to those who were famous.
Now don’t get me wrong, social media in itself is not a bad thing. Social media only reveals the people who join. The platforms every individual now has access to can be used for great things. Just as previously mentioned, you now can gain more attention and reach than any previous generation. The question is… what are you going to do with that attention? God has called us to “live by the Spirit and do not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).
With all the opportunities to have your voice heard now, you have the ultimate choice to make. Will you choose to gratify your self-interest? To build up your own name? Or will you choose to promote God? To pursue the path He has planned for you, to make an impact for His kingdom?
These are the choices you must ask yourself. It’s easy to get lost in all the noise and to say what you want to say, but just think of the unbelievable opportunity you have to reach others for Christ. This does not mean you have to preach on your social feeds. Not everyone is called to serve in a church capacity. God uses athletes, musicians, artists, engineers, doctors, and every occupation imaginable.
It is not about what niche you decide to go in. But instead, will you use the gifts and talents he gave you to pursue His will for your life? Choose to let your self-interests die, and watch how God will promote you.
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