Our present culture has been inflicted with a terrible disease. It’s been called “me-itis” but perhaps is better known as just plain selfishness. Men often come down with it by a poor use of time and money. The main symptom of “me-itis” is relational conflict. For a person suffering from this ailment, it’s only a matter of time before they run into someone else with the same problem and the result is always conflict.

C.S. Lewis once said appetite “grows by indulgence. Starving men may think much about food, but so do gluttons.” Selfishness is never really satisfied and the more it gets, the more it wants. The biblical cure for “me-itis” is putting others before yourself.

Take a moment to read Philippians 2:3-8. We need to ask ourselves four questions that rise from this passage:

1. What’s my motivation? “Do nothing through rivalry or conceit.” (Phil 2:3) Am I motivated by the notion that I deserve something because of something special about me?

2. Do I compare myself to others? “In humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (Phil 3:3) We need to understand that nobody is better than anybody else in terms of their value to God.

3. Am I self-absorbed? “Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” (Phil 3:4) Do I notice the needs, respect the schedules, know the hurts and concerns of others in my sphere of influence?

4. Am I following Jesus? “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 3:5) Do I make excuses for my selfishness? Jesus never used his position to take advantage of anyone or to serve his own needs. He was constantly serving others.

Our natural bent is inward. “Incurvatus in se” is a Latin phrase coined by Augustine to describe our selfish tendency to turn within ourselves and use others to serve our own needs. Here are three practical ways you can overcome “me-itis”:

1. Strive to be a good listener. Resist the urge to talk about yourself. Listen in order to understand and not to reply. Work hard at remembering names. Ask sincere questions about the personal interests of others. “How was your day?” “How did the presentation go?” “Did you enjoy your time away?” etc.

2. Pray for others. Make a list of people for whom you should pray. Start praying with that person’s face in mind. It will help redirect your heart to their needs and concerns. Pray even for those you don’t like or enjoy being around. Remember the golden rule.

3. Find a ministry at church and serve. I have learned that service doesn’t happen by accident. It’s a matter of choice as you determine by God’s grace to put others first. Take a missions trip to a third world country. It will help you realize how good the Lord has been to you and how needy most of the world really is.

I learned this poem many years ago and it still comes to mind when I’m convicted about my own selfishness:

Lord, help me live from day to day in such a self-forgetful way

That even when I kneel to pray my prayer shall be for others.

Others, Lord, yes others, let this my motto be.

Help me to live for others that I might live like Thee.