On a scale of one to ten, how often do you think about the needs of others and try to meet them? Before you answer, read this: ‘If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?’

Selfishness is defined as ‘the state of being overly concerned with one’s self’. Now God is not asking you to sacrifice for others to the point where you jeopardise your own health and mental well-being, then end up resentful for doing so. Nor does He expect you to meet every need that comes your way. He’s challenging the ‘what’s in it for me?’ attitude of our age in which self-gratification, self-improvement, self-enlightenment, and self-indulgence is increasingly being promoted. Selfishness dies hard, but it’s a stronghold you must break in order to experience the peace and joy that give life meaning.

BC Forbes, founder of Forbes magazine, said: ‘I’ve never known any human being, high or humble, who regretted when nearing life’s end, having done kindly deeds. But I have known more than one who became haunted by the realisation that they had led selfish lives.’

James writes: ‘If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.’ (James 2:15–17 NKJV) So, think more about others.