Bible verses about putting others before yourself. Jesus commanded us to love one another. But we do not always do this, and end up loving ourselves instead. What does the Bible say about loving other people? Here are some Bible verses about putting others before yourself. It is clear in the Bible that God expects us to put other people before ourselves. In fact, you will see that God’s word demands it.
God wants us to put others before ourselves. Christians are not supposed to just be thinking of themselves or their family, they are called to reach out to people who are hurting and in need of love and care. When we look at Bible verses about putting others before yourself, we can better understand why it is important for us to do this.
A lot has been said about the subject of being selfish. But what about when it comes to putting others before yourself? This may seem like a contrast to the subject and idea of being selfish, but I believe these two concepts are really more on the same level. We must first ask ourselves the question, “What is being selfish?” and then look at what it means to put others before yourself.
Bible Verses About Putting Others Before Yourself
The Bible is full of wonderful verses about putting others before yourself. In fact, the Bible says that God Himself “did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:6). The Bible wants us to follow the example of our Savior. We should serve others and give up our personal comforts for the pleasure of helping someone in need.
With all of the turmoil happening in the world can it seem like our personal lives are just out of control. One of the most important aspects in our lives is putting God first. Can you imagine how chaotic your life would be if you didn’t put God before yourself? If things get too crazy then remember to put god first. Cry out to god and he will comfort you through your trials. Let him into your hearts, but never let go of his hand. When it seems like the world is falling apart, look at god and see a light at the end of the tunnel.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).
Putting others before yourself means considering others better than yourself. It does not mean doing things for them that you would not do for yourself, but rather doing things that are above what you would do for yourself and putting their needs ahead of yours. For example, if someone asks to borrow a pencil because theirs broke and they need one to finish an exam, instead of saying “Sorry I can’t help” or “Try asking someone else” you should give them your pencil even though it’s inconvenient for you. Your sacrifice will be appreciated by the person in need and God will reward your kindness with blessings later on (Proverbs 19:17).
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:10).
You’re not just doing good to others. When you do good to others, you are also doing good for yourself. You see, when we’re kind to others and make them happy, it makes us happy too. It gives us a sense of purpose; we feel like we have meaning in this world. We want to make the world better because that’s what God wants us to do!
“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality” (Romans 12:9-13).
If you’re going to love, then do it well. Love is not hypocritical. Love isn’t evil and it doesn’t abide in sin. What’s more, love is good—this isn’t just a trite phrase to describe the feeling you have for your significant other or family member; it’s a statement about what God does with perfect consistency and infinite wisdom. When we speak of His love for us, we can be assured that His character is as pure as His actions are powerful: He loves perfectly because He has given up any motive other than complete devotion toward those whom He has called His own (John 13:34).
The same goes for us: if we want our love lives to reflect Christlike characteristics such as kindness, honor and humility while still containing some measure of passion, then we need to focus on choosing our words carefully; choosing our actions wisely; finding ways outside ourselves so that others may benefit from them instead of merely gaining pleasure from their presence alone.”
“In humility correct others “lest they be condemned.” Forgive and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37).
Humility is the opposite of pride. It is not thinking less of yourself, but rather thinking about yourself less. Humility is being aware of your own limitations and weaknesses, as well as those around you—and not acting like a know-it-all. The Bible speaks frequently about humility as a virtue to be sought after because it brings about unity among people. This can be seen in the following verse:
“In humility correct others “lest they be condemned.” Forgive and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37).
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:5-8).
In these verses, Paul is speaking of Jesus Christ in the context of his divine nature. He was equal to God and yet did not take advantage of that fact. Instead, he chose to take on the form of a servant and was obedient to God until death.
It’s important for us to remember that when we put others before ourselves, we’re following in Christ’s footsteps. We must humble ourselves in order for our lives to reflect God’s love for everyone around us—and this includes doing things like serving others, feeding those who are hungry, giving clothes or money to those who need it and welcoming strangers into our homes when they don’t have anywhere else safe to go.
It is clear that when we put others before ourselves, we are following Jesus’ example. It is not always easy to do this, but it is the best way to live our lives. Doing so will help us grow closer to God and be better examples for those around us.
Bible Verses About Putting Others Down
Throughout Scripture Christians are told to love others. Love does no harm to its neighbor. We are not to hurt others physically or emotionally. Words do hurt people. Think before you say something to hurt someone’s feelings. Not only words said directly to the person, but words said when that person is not around.
Slander, gossip, lying, etc. is all evil and Christians should have nothing to do with these.
Even if someone hurts us we are to be imitators of Christ and pay no one back for what they have done. Always be willing to apologize to others.
Forgive just like God forgave you. Put others before yourself and be careful what comes out your mouth. Do what leads to peace and do all things for the glory of God.
As believers we must be considerate of others. We should never mistreat others nor cause believers to stumble.
We should always check to see how will our actions help someone in need. We should always check to see if our decisions in life will hurt others.
Quotes
- “Be careful with your words. Once they’re said, they can only be forgiven not forgotten.”
- “Words scar more than you think.”
- “The tongue has no bones, but is strong enough to break a heart.”
Live peaceably
1. Romans 12:17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
2. Romans 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
3. Psalm 34:14 Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
4. Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.
What does the Bible say?
5. Ephesians 4:30-32 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit, by whom you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, quarreling, and slander be put away from you, along with all hatred. And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another just as God has forgiven you in the Messiah.
6. Leviticus 19:15-16 Do not twist justice in legal matters by favoring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful. Always judge people fairly. Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people. Do not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is threatened. I am the LORD.
Repay no evil
7. 1 Peter 3:9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
8. Romans 12:17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
Love
9. Romans 13:10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
10. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
11. Ephesians 5:1-2 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Reminders
12. Titus 3:2 to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people.
13. 1 Corinthians 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
14. Ephesians 4:27 and give no opportunity to the devil.
15. Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.
16. Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Golden rule
17. Matthew 7:12 In everything, treat others as you would want them to treat you, for this fulfills the law and the prophets.
18. Luke 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
Examples
19. Acts 7:26 The next day Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to reconcile them by saying, ‘Men, you are brothers; why do you want to hurt each other?’
20. Nehemiah 5:7-8 After thinking it over, I spoke out against these nobles and officials. I told them, “You are hurting your own relatives by charging interest when they borrow money!” Then I called a public meeting to deal with the problem. At the meeting I said to them, “We are doing all we can to redeem our Jewish relatives who have had to sell themselves to pagan foreigners, but you are selling them back into slavery again. How often must we redeem them?” And they had nothing to say in their defense.
Bonus
1 Corinthians 10:32 Don’t become a stumbling block to Jews or Greeks or to the church of God.
Christian Concept Of Putting Others Before Yourself
Putting others before ourselves is not natural nor comfortable. Yet, as Christians, we believe we are given a new nature at salvation. Part of this nature is summed up in Galatians 6:22 and 23. The fruit of the Spirit is all about putting others before oneself.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” ~ Galatians 6:22,23
Let’s look at some tips for putting others before yourself. This will include 5 attitudes you can take and 2 practical ways you can implement the new attitudes.
Consider Your Attitude
Be Compassionate
One of the many attributes that characterizes Christ is His compassion. Of course He was God, but He was also a man with a desire to serve others because of His love for them. Jesus Christ is our example.
We can ask the Lord to develop compassion in our lives. He said to His followers that those who are truly His disciples will show love to one another. It is probably easier to love fellow Christians than those who do not know our Father, but the example that Christ gave was of Him loving other people regardless of their spiritual condition.
Be Empathetic
Consider the needs of those around you. Try to put yourself in their situation and treat them as you would like to be treated. We call this the Golden Rule and it is found in Matthew 7:12, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”
We often talk about putting ourselves in someone else’s shoes. That is a good way to think of empathy. When you are having trouble getting along with, or helping, someone else, try to picture yourself in the same condition or position they are in. How would you like people to treat you? Treat them the same way and you will become more empathetic to the needs of others.
Develop a Servant’s Heart
You have to yield to Him so that He can work in your life.
You have to yield to Him so that He can work in your life.
Find ways to serve others. This is the best way to develop a servant’s heart. Putting others before yourself is easier when you are serving them. But just because someone is in a serving position does not mean that they are serving with the right attitude. Maybe you have met the people who are involved in the service industry who don’t enjoy serving others. Even people in compassionate sounding jobs (working at a homeless shelter or working as a nurse for example) can have the wrong attitude about the people they are serving.
Develop a servant’s heart and attitude. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. You have to yield to Him so that He can work in your life.
Realize That People Think Differently
One of the reasons we find it hard to put others before ourselves is that different people think differently than we do. If my family thought exactly the same way I did then we might have fewer problems, but life would sure be boring. We like the diversity of thought that different people bring to a group. However, it can also be the source of friction. Try to learn see things from their perspective.
Don’t try to force everyone into your way of thinking. That is a sign that you are thinking more of yourself than you are of them.
Consider Their Welfare More Important Than Your Desires
Jesus Christ came to earth for the good of mankind. While we are trying to be compassionate and more empathetic we should see what others need. This does not mean we give them anything they want nor allow others to walk all over us. It means we try to find out their true needs and try to help them. Even if it is uncomfortable for us.
Put Your New Attitude into Action
Besides the above attitudes, here are a couple of things you can begin to do to put others before yourself and put these attitudes into practice.
Volunteer
Find a needy charity or service organization where you can spend time serving others. This could be volunteer time at a local library or soup kitchen. Homeless shelters and churches are always looking for people to volunteer for projects.
Try to find a project that will allow you to work directly with people. This will let you see the effect you have on people’s lives when you put others before yourself.
Take a Mission trip
When you go on a mission trip you are putting other people first. While it may be a personal adventure and quite thrilling to take a mission trip, it is also a way to serve. The people you meet on your trip will see that you have made a sacrifice to put them first. Of course, you should not go on the trip for the sole purpose of making yourself feel better. You should use the opportunity to see how you can put others first when involved in your everyday life.
Conclusion
Philippians 2:3-7, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
These verses tell us we should put others first. Then we are given the wonderful example of how Christ did this for us. How will you put others first today?