Seeing from the Point of View of Others
There are people who have accomplished great things and I admire them. There are also people who have accomplished great things who admire themselves. In these cases, I may admire their abilities and their accomplishments, but it’s hard to admire them. They portray a sense of entitlement and privilege because they are so great and they want you and everyone to know it. They’re constantly looking for special treatment and believe that the rest of the world revolves around their desires.
Great accomplishment will often bring great honor and respect, but without character, the treasure of ability is negated by lack of love towards others. When the disciples became concerned about their own status in the kingdom, and they wanted to the honor of sitting at the right and left hand of Jesus, He warned them in Mark 10:42-44, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but the serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Think of Others
Sometimes we want to develop ourselves and excel for the benefits. Jesus urges us not use our influence at the expense of others, but to use our influence to bless others. Our gift is a treasure that God places in our hands to benefit others, not just ourselves.
David’s Success Led to Hardship
David was a mighty warrior. Some may think it was just a lucky shot that helped him slay Goliath, but he also killed a lion, and a bear, and led the Israelites to victory after victory in battle. Saul even tried to set David up for death by enticing him to fight the Philistine’s in order to marry his daughter. David was required to slay 100 Philistines for Saul’s daughter and Saul believed that David would be killed in battle if he tried to accomplish this. Saul’s plan didn’t work, David was a mighty warrior and slew 200 Philistines.
David was such an outstanding warrior that he became enormously popular and eventually became the king of Israel and Judah. In spite of his ability as a warrior and a noted musician, David was familiar with hardship and difficulty. He knew what it was like to be despised as the youngest of eight brothers. He knew what it was like to be assigned to common labor as a shepherd where he would be challenged by harsh weather and wild animals. He also knew what it was like to constantly be on the run for years of his life when King Saul tried to chase him down like a criminal to kill him, even though David was innocent of any crime.
David Stood in the Shoes of Others who had it Hard
David knew what it was like to be treated as a common person, and to even be treated like a despised person by those who were over him. As a king, he could look out across his kingdom and relate to the common, ordinary people, who were struggling just to make a living, and he could relate to those who were mistreated by others.
David had stood in the shoes of others who didn’t have it so good, and wanted to benefit those people rather than to receive all his kingly benefits from them. David’s abilities gave him great influence, and he would use that influence on behalf of others. He wanted to serve others, not just to be served. Often we go through difficult circumstances that develop character like David did, so that we can see life from the point of view of others and bless them with the blessing that God has given us.