Oxygen

Is it selfish to care for yourself first, before helping another?

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. - Philippians 2:3-4

I was reminded the other day that the instructions we are given when flying tell us to attend to ourselves first, to don our own oxygen masks before putting the mask on a child.

That is good advice, since we could easily lose consciousness trying to help someone else before attending to our own needs.

But I wonder if that is how we should handle all situations.

In today's reading, it seems like we should do the opposite, to attend to others first, and not be focused on ourselves.  But perhaps we need to be a bit practical at times.

When it comes to something as basic and vital as oxygen, we had better give ourselves a supply first, or we will be of little use to others in need.

The difference between acting selflessly and selfishly may be hard to discern for the casual observer.  If I saw someone ignoring the needs of a child in favor of their own needs, I would certainly be judgmental, and possibly wrong.

I really cannot accurately assess what others are doing, then.  I can only know in my heart what drives my actions.  I alone am the judge of my intent, whether I am thinking only of me when I reach for the oxygen, or if my goal is to be able to help another.

I think that is what is meant by regarding others as better than ourselves.  If our intent is to be there for them, then our actions in maintaining our own health and wellbeing may be more than justified; they may be honorable.

But I could see how that could be a slippery slope, with my focus staying on me and on no one else.  So, the lesson is clear.  Look not to my own interest, to to the interests of others.

I think I do that, but it is good to remember from tie to time that I may also need to keep myself alive, alert and able.  So, if you see me helping myself first, don't be quick to judge.  I may be getting ready to help you.

More to come...