UNSELFISHNESS by J. T. Crockett

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, February 24, 1885

FromThe Review and Herald, Vol. 62, No. 8

UNSELFISHNESS

By J. T. Crockett

BY J. T. CROCKETT.

“For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. . . . We are the Lord’s.” Rom. 14: 7, 8.

When we look around us and behold the beauties of nature, and consider how everything we see is constantly administering to the necessities of other fellow-creatures, we see that nothing has been created merely for itself. Unselfishness is a principle which we find in all God’s creation.

In the dreary winter we behold a mantle of snow spread over mountain and valley. But for what purpose is this snow? It protects the tender roots of the grass and herbs from the chilling blasts of winter’s frosts. As spring approaches, it is no longer needed, and, quietly yielding to the warming rays of the sun, it disappears, leaving the earth refreshed after her winter’s rest, to perform her part in supplying the wants of her creatures. We next see the trees bud and put forth their leaves, the tender grass appears, and soon the fields are clothed in a robe of green, ornamented with myriads of beautiful flowers colored with all the delicate tints of nature’s choicest dyes. But all these things come forth to cheer the heart, delight the eye, and administer to the wants of the creatures of earth.

The gurgling spring and the murmuring brook quench the thirst of man and beast. The warming rays of the sun and the gentle showers of rain cause the earth to yield her increase, thus producing food for man and beast. This is the natural food given by God before man sinned, for the sustenance of life both of man and beast. Gen. 1: 29, 30.

We next consider the beasts of the field, over which man was given dominion. They were not made merely for themselves. They supply many of the wants of man. Neither is it necessary that they be put to the sufferings of a cruel death to fill the mission which God designed of them before man sinned. The noble horse performs much service for man. The butter and milk of the cow, and the eggs of the fowl, furnish him food. The gentle sheep supply wool for his clothing; and the beautiful and lovely birds fill the air with their cheerful songs. Thus we see a beautiful arrangement and unselfish purpose in all the works of creation.

The mineral kingdom has its treasures for man in the bowels of the earth; the vegetable and the animal kingdoms, up to man, we see were created for other than selfish purposes; and now, will man, who was made in God’s image, degrade himself below these, and say, in actions if not in words, I will live wholly for myself? or, as Cain, Am I my brother’s keeper? How can we say so? When I thus look at the beauties of nature which God has so bountifully spread out before us, and consider that I am wholly dependent upon the bounties of his providence, I look through nature up to nature’s God, and my heart is filled with gratitude to him. Then when I open his word and read of the “marvelous things” he has done for the children of men; and above all, of the gift of his only begotten Son to save sinners from their sins, I can but exclaim with the apostle, “We are the Lord’s.”

As we consider the self-denying life of Jesus, we see that his whole life was spent in doing good to others. Yet he was misjudged, and wrong motives were imputed to him. Sometimes he was looked upon as an intruder, and it was demanded by what authority he did things. Again, there was grumbling because he had not done more; and the question was asked, “Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?” John 11: 37. Then, again, he was considered an idle talker, a babbler. “What will this babbler say?” And yet again he was looked down upon as a “winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners.” He was even accused of having connection with the devil, and working miracles by Beelzebub. And even his brethren, who knew his purity of life from his infancy, disbelieved on him. John 7: 3, 5. Yet his labors in meekness and humility for the good of others were unceasing. He was not seeking the favor of man, neither did he fear the frowns of any; but in all things he had an eye to one great purpose,—that of doing good to others and seeking their salvation. Always calm, doing everything in the right time, improving the minutes, he was never in a hurry or bustle, but his mind was always kept in a proper condition to calmly sympathize with the suffering. If we would be prepared to stand in the trying time that is just before us, we must have the mind “which was also in Christ Jesus,” who “made himself of no reputation.” Phil. 2: 5, 7. Here we see unselfishness in its perfection. If doubts arise, and faith begins to waver, we receive strength as we look away from ourselves, and “consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself.” Heb. 12: 3. Then it is that, like the apostle, we can “do all things through Christ who strengtheneth us.” Phil. 4: 13. Then it is, also, that we see our own weakness, and cling closer to him, and so, partaking of his spirit, we become more and more like him.

It has been said, and that truly, that “man naturally becomes assimilated to that with which he voluntarily holds communion.” The apostle well understood this principle when he wrote Phil. 4: 8, concluding with the words, “Think on these things.” So when we look upon the character and unselfish, self-denying life of Jesus, and take him as our example, the nearer we live to him, the more we become like him. He can sympathize with us in all our trials, and help us to gain the victory. Are we scoffed at? So was he. Are we tempted to use harsh language? When he was persecuted, he threatened not. Are our motives misjudged? His were much more so. Are we tempted to seek high positions of honor? See him leave the glory of Heaven and humble himself as a servant. He says, “I am among you as he that serveth.” Luke 22: 27. Are we tempted to seek ease? See him, faint and weary, at the well, after having traveled many miles on foot, embracing an opportunity to instruct one soul. He seems to forget his own need of rest and food, and exclaims, “My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish his work.” John 4: 34. Are we tempted to think highly of ourselves and covet praise from others? Hear him meekly say, “Why callest thou me good?” Matt. 19: 17. Are we tempted to gossip and repeat an evil report about our neighbor? Hear him say, “Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of Judgment.” Matt. 12: 36. Are we ever tempted to be discouraged? Let us follow more closely the example of Jesus as we see him spend “all night in prayer to God.” Luke 6: 12. Are we pressed down with poverty? Let us look to him who had “not where to lay his head.” Matt. 8: 20. “Though

was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” 2 Cor. 8: 9. Do our friends despise, forsake us? They have left our Saviour too?

If we would be unselfish and pure in heart, let us look at the good traits in the character of our brethren and sisters, and have charity where we cannot commend. But especially let us look at the life of our Saviour, and live near him who “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Heb. 4: 15. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 2: 5. We should meditate much upon the life and character of our Saviour, seek and encourage his spirit, and in doing so we shall drive away selfishness which is so dishonoring to our Lord. May the Lord give strength for weakness, and help us to overcome, and to him be all the praise.

Albany, N. Y.