From the Elder's Pen "Of Whom The World Was Not Worthy" 4/28/02 Past/Future Articles

Selfishness seems to be the order of the day.  For many people, unless they can see some personal advantage, unless something promotes their personal agenda, you won’t get them involved.  If things don’t go as they desire, if they don’t get what they want, then others will hear about it.  Of course, there will be the varied explanations offered as to why they respond as they do, but it’s nothing more than a smoke screen for selfishness.
     This is perhaps the greatest challenge anyone will ever face, the challenge of putting others before self.  But this is what sets one apart, isn’t it, from the world around us.  It’s those who are willing to set their personal agenda aside, even suffering for the sake of others, who stand out.  Those heroes of faith in Hebrews 11, “of whom the world was not worthy” (11:38), possessed this quality.  By faith they committed themselves to God and a lifestyle that would endure all kinds of hardships, because God really did come first (11:33-38).  It’s that same kind of faith in Christ that motivates the Christian to put commitment over convenience.  “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (Philippians 2:30).  “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even Christ did not please Himself   (Romans 15:2-3).  “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that you should follow in His steps  (I Peter 2:21).
     Now, let’s go back to the opening premise.  Selfishness has no place in the Lord’s church.  Having to have it “my way or no way at all” is childish and unChristlike.  This is the source of so much grief, strife, and problems in the Lord’s church.  And don’t try smoke screens to cover your motives.  Selfishness, no matter the excuse, is apparent to most people except the selfish themselves.  It’s far better to do good and suffer loss if need be.  It’s better to live as one of whom the world is not worthy.                   - Selected