James 3:16  “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”

It is evident in our culture that we have an all time high in selfishness.  In my book, “A Christian Selfie,” I point out that people may cut us off just to get a parking space or use a finger jesture when we are going too slow or stop at a yellow light.  We find chaos in our world because people want what they want on their terms!  I state  in my book that we can overcome selfishness by walking with the Lord.  We can stop and take a “selfie” and resolve to purge ourselves, with God’s help, of selfishness.

How can we stop our selfishness?  After further study, I have concluded that there are three things we can do to gain a spirit of humility.  We can begin by giving back to God what belongs to Him.  We must honor God with our tithe.  He requires one tenth.  He has promised us that our nine-tenths will go further than when we try to live on ten-tenths.  This is so true!  My husband and I were teachers on a modest income, but we tithed all our lives.  We marvel that in our retirement, how God gave us such blessings to live on.  We have excess to give away and share with those less fortunate.  That is such a blessing!  So, I won’t share how we give because God does want us to keep our gifts secret. (Matthew 6:1-4)

Second, we are to acknowledge that whatever we have accomplished, God has done it for us!  (Isaiah 26:12)  God has blessed me beyond measure!  God gave me a voice to share His love.  God gave me a message to share with the world in the book I penned for His glory.  God has given me and my family many miracles of healing and the grace of salvation.  To God be the glory!  I am so inadequate and fail Him when I know I should speak up and invite someone to His church on Sunday.  Don’t we all?  I have a friend who is so good at inviting total strangers to church.  And, you know what, they come!!  She has such a gift.  I only wish I could be so bold.  I will make myself available and God will give me the words just like he did Moses.  Remember, God gave the words to Joshua and Caleb to say for Moses.  Maybe that is why I have been given such a good friend! To God be the glory!

Third, we are to make humility a goal for our daily living.  We are to live as Paul taught us in Philippians 2:3, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”  We are to become servants as we depend totally on God.  We are to follow the old acronym of JOY: Jesus first, Others second and, You third.  When we practice loving others unconditionally and acting with kindness, we are practicing humility.  If we get upset we didn’t get our way and think only of how we feel, what is convenient for us, or how we can profit from a situation, we are acting out of selfishness.  We are not demonstrating the love of Jesus.  We are in sin.  Therefore, when  humility is our goal, then love, forgiveness, and kindness will grow out of it.  We can live a joy filled life!  To God be the glory!!