In all that we think, say and do, it’s incredibly worthwhile to ask ourselves from time to time – why did I think, say or do that thing? Why did I have those negative thoughts about my sister? Why did I snap at my wife? Why did I splurge on that useless trinket or toy? Why?

The reason I share that with you today is that all too often we think, say and do things out of selfishness and sometimes out of pride. The average person is an incredibly selfish creature.

Think about it. One of the most important things to teach our children from an early age is not to be selfish. Because, as they grow up – as we grew up – that selfishness all too easily morphs into a sense of pride.

Be honest. In your dealings with those around you, to what extent have those two bedfellows – selfishness and pride – influenced your behaviour? Perhaps it’s time for a reality check.

Philippians 2:3-4 In whatever you do, don’t let selfishness or pride be your guide. Be humble, and honour others more than yourselves. Don’t be interested only in your own life, but care about the lives of others too.

How do you deal with your selfishness and pride when they’re so hard to put down? After all, they rear their ugly heads all too often – especially when we’re under pressure, when we ourselves are hurting. Answer?

Don’t be interested only in your own life, but care about the lives of others too.

It’s funny how selfishness and pride evaporate when we become genuinely caring, genuinely concerned, over the needs of others.

That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Is it just me or is public debate (fuelled as it is these days by the unbridled freedom of expression that many enjoy on social media) indeed becoming ever more partisan, more vitriolic, more divisive? What do you think?

The left lines up against the right, the right against the left. The environmentalists against the industrialists; the industrialists against the environmentalists; the global technology companies against government regulators, the … well, I’m sure you can list many others.

But as these titans, these well-funded interests clash horns in the public arena, it seems to me that the little people, the people without the money, the people without a voice, are being crushed in the process.

And can I tell you the thing that really breaks my heart? It’s the Christians who, amidst it all, pound their chests asserting their rights while remaining silent about the injustices being done to the little people.

Elon Musk, to be sure, is a polarising public figure. But something he said recently caught my eye: “Unless there’s more bravery to stand up for what’s fair and right, Christianity will perish.”

That’s a bit of an overstatement, that last bit. But you get his point. Where are the Christians in all of this? Where’s their clarion voice that cuts cleanly through the self-interested, self-aggrandising clashes of the titans, hmm?

As 18th century Irish statesman Edmund Burke observed, the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men (and women) to do nothing.

Proverbs 31:8-9 Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Help people who are in trouble. Stand up for what you know is right, and judge all people fairly. Protect the rights of the poor and those who need help.

That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

You don’t like to label people … but let’s be honest, some people are just obnoxious. You’ve met them, I’ve met them … but the question is, do you meet one each morning when you look in the mirror?

Twentieth century, New York real estate mogul and hotelier Leona Helmsley developed quite the reputation for being one of the most obnoxious public figures of her time. Together with her husband, she built a vast hotel empire.

But she was best known for her ruthless business tactics, the way she mistreated her employees, and her famously condescending attitude. Her downfall came when she was convicted of tax evasion in 1989. During her trial, one of her former employees famously testified that she’d said, "We don't pay taxes. Only the little people pay taxes." Delightful.

It’s been said that each of us has the power to make someone else happy. Some do it by entering the room, others by leaving. The question we should be asking ourselves pretty regularly is, which one of those am I?

As you’re mulling that over, drink this in. It’s good, very good.

Hebrews 3:13 … encourage each other every day, while you still have something called “today.” Help each other so that none of you will be fooled by sin and become too hard to change.

Encouraging others comes from a good place, a good heart, a good person – the sort of person who makes people happy when they walk into the room. Helping each other … well, if you ask me, you can’t take a more powerful, a more proactive, step against being obnoxious than by helping people. Please, don’t be obnoxious.

That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.