One of the hardest things Jesus asks us to do is to put other people before ourselves. It goes against what the world teaches us about looking out for number one. But the Bible is clear—true greatness comes from serving others. When we put others first, we're following Jesus' example and showing His love to the world around us.
Jesus' Example of Serving Others
If we want to learn about putting others first, we need to look at Jesus. He is our perfect example. Even though He was God, He came to earth not to be served, but to serve.
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
— Mark 10:45
Jesus explains that He came to serve others, not to be served. This is amazing because He was the King of kings. If anyone had the right to expect service, it was Jesus. But He showed us a different way. He gave up everything, even His life, to help others.
"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!"
— Philippians 2:6-8
Paul explains how Jesus gave up His rights as God to serve us. Jesus didn't think only about Himself. He thought about us and what we needed. This is the ultimate example of putting others first.
Direct Commands to Put Others First
The Bible doesn't just give us Jesus' example. It also gives us clear commands about how we should treat other people.
"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."
— Philippians 2:3-4
Paul tells us to think about other people's needs, not just our own. This means when we make choices, we should ask ourselves how it affects others. Are we being selfish, or are we thinking about what others need?
"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."
— Romans 12:10
This verse teaches us to show honor to others. That means treating them as more important than ourselves. When we do this, we show real love.
"No one should seek their own good, but the good of others."
— 1 Corinthians 10:24
Paul makes it simple here. We shouldn't just think about what's good for us. We need to think about what's good for the people around us. This might mean giving up something we want so someone else can have what they need.
Why This Is So Hard
Putting others first is difficult because we naturally think about ourselves. It's not wrong to take care of your own needs. But Jesus calls us to go beyond that. He wants us to care about others as much as we care about ourselves.
The good news is that God gives us the power to do this. When we follow Jesus, the Holy Spirit helps us become more selfless. It's a journey, and we'll mess up sometimes. But God is patient with us as we learn to love like Jesus.
Practical Ways to Serve Others
The Bible gives us specific examples of what it looks like to put others first in everyday life.
"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
— Galatians 6:2
When someone is going through a hard time, we should help them. This might mean listening when they need to talk, helping with tasks they can't handle, or just being there for them. This is what Jesus would do.
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."
— 1 Peter 4:10
God has given each of us special abilities. These gifts aren't just for us—they're meant to help other people. Whether you're good at encouraging people, fixing things, or making people laugh, use your gifts to serve others.
The Greatest Love
Jesus taught that the greatest way to put others first is to sacrifice for them.
"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."
— John 15:13
Jesus said this right before He died on the cross for us. The greatest love is being willing to give up everything for someone else. While most of us won't be asked to die for others, we can still "lay down our lives" in smaller ways—by giving our time, energy, and resources to help others.
The Rewards of Selflessness
When we put others first, we might think we're losing something. But God promises to bless those who serve others.
"Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all."
— Mark 10:43-44
Jesus turns the world's thinking upside down. He says that if you want to be truly great, you need to serve others. The path to greatness in God's kingdom is different from what the world teaches. It goes through serving, not through pushing yourself ahead of others.
"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
— Luke 6:38
When we give to others, God notices. He promises that those who are generous will receive back even more than they gave. This doesn't mean we should give just to get something back. But God does reward those who put others first with His blessings.
Balance and Boundaries
Putting others first doesn't mean we ignore our own needs completely. The Bible teaches us to find a healthy balance.
"Love your neighbor as yourself."
— Matthew 22:39
Notice that Jesus says "as yourself." This means we should love ourselves in a healthy way. We can't pour from an empty cup. It's okay to take care of your own needs too. The key is not putting yourself first all the time, but finding the right balance between caring for yourself and caring for others.
When Selflessness Becomes Unhealthy
Some people take "putting others first" too far. They never say no, even when they should. They let people use them or hurt them because they think being selfless means being a doormat.
That's not what God wants. Jesus had boundaries. He took time alone to pray. He didn't heal everyone or go everywhere people wanted Him to go. Sometimes He said no. Healthy selflessness means caring for others while also respecting yourself. It means having wisdom about when to help and when to set limits.
Practical Application for Today
How can we put these verses into practice in our daily lives? Here are some ways to start:
- Start small: You don't have to change the world today. Start by holding a door open, letting someone go ahead of you in line, or really listening when someone talks to you.
- Ask questions: Instead of always talking about yourself, ask other people about their lives. Show real interest in their answers.
- Look for needs: Pay attention to the people around you. Who needs help? Who is struggling? Be ready to step in when you can.
- Give your time: Time is one of the most valuable things we have. When you give your time to help someone, you're showing them they matter.
- Let others shine: Instead of trying to be the center of attention, help others succeed. Celebrate their victories and support their dreams.
- Pray for strength: Ask God to help you become more selfless. He will give you the power to put others first when it feels hard.
- Remember Jesus: When serving others feels difficult, remember how much Jesus gave for you. Let His example inspire you to love others well.
Conclusion
Putting others before yourself is at the heart of what it means to follow Jesus. It's not easy, and it won't always feel natural. But when we choose to serve others instead of always thinking about ourselves, we show the world what Jesus is like.
Remember that this is a journey. You won't get it right all the time, and that's okay. God is patient with you as you learn. What matters is that you keep trying. Each time you choose to put someone else first, you're becoming more like Jesus.
The beautiful truth is that when we lose our lives in service to others, we actually find real life. Jesus promised this. When we stop focusing only on ourselves and start loving others well, we discover the joy and purpose God created us for. That's the reward of selflessness—not just blessings from God, but the deep satisfaction of living the way we were meant to live.