Putting Others First
- Bishop Keith Butler
- Sep 20, 2023
- 2 min read
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another. (Romans 12:10)
The world around us often touts self-promotion and personal gain as the means of achieving success. However, as believers, we live according to a different Kingdom and a different way of doing things. In Romans 12:10, Paul challenged us to shift our focus from self-centeredness to selflessness and from seeking recognition to cherishing and uplifting others.
Kindly affectioned refers to a deep love that goes beyond superficial gestures or words. It comes from the Greek word philostorgos, which refers to the brotherly love and kindness a healthy family has for one another. This love is not reserved for those who are easy to love or who share our opinions and preferences. It means loving those who differ from you and embracing our diversity and unity in Him.
But Paul didn’t just say to love others, he also told us to prefer them. The Greek word is proegeomai. It means to show deference. Preferring others means putting others first and recognizing the worth and significance of each person, considering their needs and interests before our own. Living life this way requires humility and setting aside selfish ambitions and ego-driven desires. By honoring others, we demonstrate the love of Christ, “who gave Himself as a ransom for us all” (1 Timothy 2:6).
I never liked athletes who got so full of themselves that they praise themselves. The Bible says that type of spirit is getting ready for a fall. Never praise yourself. Let others celebrate you and lift you up.
When you sow honor, God will ensure that you receive honor. If you only honor yourself, you are sowing toward your own destruction.
Practical Application
Who can you honor today? Who can you sow honor into and prefer above yourself? Find opportunities to sow honor, not toward those who deserve it, but to those who need to become honorable.
