Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Philippians 2:3-4 | New International Version (NIV)
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name
of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was,
but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus
was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus,
come down immediately.
I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed
him gladly. All the people saw this and began
to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too,
is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Luke 19:1-10 (NIV)
People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this,
he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them,
for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never
enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
Mark 10:13-16 (NIV)
“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:13-16 | The Message (MSG)