Romans 15:2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.
In this verse, Paul is talking about doing things for others even if it is not the best for ourselves. Looking at this verse in context makes this clearer.
v. 1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
v. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."
Here is the rub, where is the line between doing for others at the expense of doing for ourselves? There is no end to the amount of time and money and emotional energy we could give to those who are in need, "the weak".
Is six hours a week given to ministry too much? Too little? What about 10% tithe? What if a married couple has differing ideas on what is an acceptable amount of ministry?
Or course our prayer is that the Lord will make abundantly clear those guidelines for our ministries, but as is far to often the case, our personal agendas get in the way of a clear message from God.
A second question is how do we determine what is "for their good" in regards to helping a neighbor? Are we helping or enabling?
And finally, the verse speaks to motivation. We are instructed to please our neighbors "to build them up". Not to impress others. Not to create a warm fuzzy in our hearts. But for the person we are helping. As much as possible our acts of kindness and generosity need to be 100% selfless.
What seems to be a simple, common sense verse can be quite complex in reality.
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