Today you should read: 2 Chronicles 1
The Value of Being Selfless
Welcome to a new book – 2 Chronicles. Thank you for being faithful in your reading and study of God’s Word. JumpStart has been used of God in the lives of many people.
Let me catch you up… David has died, and his son, Solomon (who’s mother was Bathsheba) is now king. God’s hand was on him, just as it was on his father David.
Solomon son of David took firm control of his kingdom, for the Lord his God was with him and made him very powerful. (v.1)
His first act of business as king was to lead the people to worship in Gibeon where the Tabernacle was located. He lead out by sacrificing 1,000 burnt offerings to the Lord on it.
That night, God appears to Solomon and offers to give him whatever he would request. Solomon’s response is overwhelming and selfless. Solomon asked for wisdom to properly lead God’s people. God told Solomon that because his request was selfless – a desire to properly govern His people – He would give it to him plus wealth, riches, and fame more than any other king ever.
Solomon’s wisdom was so great that people came from many places to ask questions of him.
What’s the point? Solomon had a perfect opportunity to think about himself – but instead he thought about others. He was selfless not selfish.
God has really convicted me lately about this issue. I’ve realized how selfish I can be. I want to be selfless – put others ahead of myself. One of the verses I’ve been memorizing to help me make this change is:
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
Posted by: Tim Parsons
JumpstartCPC.com 