"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4) Have you ever felt the true satisfaction and fulfillment that can only come from putting smile in someone else's face? Have you ever felt like you mattered in this whole wide universe simply because you met the need of someone? I don't know the true psychology or biology behind it, but you would think that our greatest satisfaction in life would come from having all our needs met - having surplus food, lovely clothing, assured security and so on and so forth; but it doesn't. Our greatest satisfaction and sense of fulfillment... our greatest joy comes when we have been of true and selfless service to others and God. We make the most impact in our world by affecting people's life positively. Do you know that a little act of kindness can alter the course of someone's destiny for life. Most arm robbers today would not have become arm robbers if someone had lent them twenty thousand to start a business. Most sociopaths would not have turned up that way if someone had cared enough to observe their pain. I saw a movie where a very rich man gave out his costly car to his driver just out of the spur of the moment. And coincidentally the driver's two sons were about to start college. That car gift was what sent those children to college, totally printing a bold impression on the minds of their destiny. .
Did you ever see the Maslow's Pyramid showing the hierarchy of human needs. In that diagram as shown below, self actualization is shown to be the highest and greatest need of man above food, security, self-esteem and many other needs. Helping others and being of service to them lies in that realm of self actualization.
The command to be of help and service to others is constantly repeated across the scriptures. It forms a central theme in the gospel. Jesus taught it. Solomon wrote proverbs on it. The Apostles taught it. Speaking to the Phillipians, Paul told them to not just be self-centric, but to look out also for the interests of others in whatever they do. We cannot be the best of what God wants us to be, neither can we actualize His purpose and experience true joy if we fail to bless people with our life. The covenant with Abraham is that he will be a "blessing to others" and through him all the families of the earth will be blessed. Quick question: how many persons have been blessed through you?