• 腓立比书 2:1-18

1 所以，在基督里若有任何劝勉，若有任何爱心的安慰，若有任何圣灵的团契，若有任何慈悲怜悯， 2 你们就要意志相同，爱心相同，有一致的心思，一致的想法，使我的喜乐得以满足。 3 凡事不可自私自利，不可贪图虚荣；只要心存谦卑，各人看别人比自己强。 4 各人不要单顾自己的事，也要顾别人的事。

5 你们当以基督耶稣的心为心： 6 他本有上帝的形像，却不坚持自己与上帝同等； 7 反倒虚己，取了奴仆的形像，成为人的样式；既有人的样子， 8 就谦卑自己，存心顺服，以至于死，且死在十字架上。 9 所以上帝把他升为至高，又赐给他超乎万名之上的名， 10 使一切在天上的、地上的和地底下的，因耶稣的名，众膝都要跪下， 11 众口都要宣认：耶稣基督是主，归荣耀给父上帝。

12 我亲爱的，这样看来，你们向来是顺服的，不但我在你们那里，就是我现在不在你们那里的时候更是顺服的，就当恐惧战兢完成你们自己得救的事； 13 因为是上帝在你们心里运行，使你们又立志又实行，为要成就他的美意。 14 你们无论做什么事，都不要发怨言起争论， 15 好使你们无可指责，诚实无伪，在这弯曲悖谬的世代作上帝无瑕疵的儿女。你们在这世代中要像明光照耀， 16 将生命的道显明出来，使我在基督的日子得以夸耀我没有白跑，也没有徒劳。 17 我以你们的信心为供献的祭物，我若被浇献在其上也是喜乐，并且与你们众人一同喜乐。 18 你们也要照样喜乐，并且与我一同喜乐。

• 使徒行传 2:42-47

42 他们都专注于使徒的教导和彼此的团契，擘饼和祈祷。43 众人都心存敬畏；使徒们又行了许多奇事神迹。 44 信的人都聚在一处，凡物公用， 45 又卖了田产和家业，照每一个人所需要的分给他们。 46 他们天天同心合意恒切地在圣殿里敬拜，且在家中擘饼，存着欢喜坦诚的心用饭， 47 赞美上帝，得全体百姓的喜爱。主将得救的人天天加给他们。

• 约翰福音 15:13

人为朋友舍命，人的爱心没有比这个更大的了。

• 约翰福音 13:34

我赐给你们一条新命令，乃是叫你们彼此相爱；我怎样爱你们，你们也要怎样彼此相爱。

面对大流行病、自然灾害和其他危机，人们很自然地想要囤积一些物资，优先考虑自己的需要。当然，做足准备来保护自己和家人是没错的。但另一方面，作为耶稣的门徒，我们也蒙召要捨己，不可自私自利。

我们看保罗是怎么说的：

“凡事不可自私自利，不可贪图虚荣；只要心存谦卑，各人看别人比自己强。各人不要单顾自己的事，也要顾别人的事。你们当以基督耶稣的心为心。”（腓立比书2:3-5；《和合本修订版》）

如果我们口里说要跟随耶稣，但在生活中没有活出耶稣的样式，那么我们就有必要自问是否真的在跟随他。

在危机时刻，很多人会变得自私。他们贮存物资、躲开人群、囤积资源。做准备并没有错，但作为基督的身体，我们当以他人为重。

在明智的准备和自私的囤货之间有明显的不同。如果你生活的地方有大流行病或紧急事件，那你绝对应该按照政府和卫生官员的指导去做，也绝对应该听取专家的建议，和你的亲人一同做好准备。但是我们不能以牺牲其他人为代价来服务自己。

回想一下初期教会的情况吧。他们经常聚会。他们卖掉了房产和个人财物，以满足整个群体的需求。

作为耶稣的我们，我们就是教会。无论我们周遭世界正在发生什么，我们都蒙召要起带头作用，乐善好施。我们既然蒙召为教会，就要像耶稣爱我们一样去爱周围的人。

我们要与有需要的人分享。我们要准备好行善。我们要先为别人着想。

耶稣并不自私。他牺牲一切。他献出了自己的生命，好让我们得着生命。作为他的门徒，我们也当起带头作用，要勇于牺牲奉献，不要自私自利，尤其是在紧急的情况中。

祷告：上帝，感谢你差遣耶稣来做我们完美的赎罪祭。帮助我效法他，过奉献而非自私的生活。上帝啊，向我显明有哪些机会能让我服侍他人、分享你大爱。奉耶稣的名，阿们。

• Philippians 2:1-18

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

• Acts 2:42-47

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

• John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

• John 13:34

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

In the wake of pandemics, natural disasters, or other crises, it’s natural to want to hoard supplies and think of yourself first. And while it’s certainly not wrong to protect and provide for yourself and your family, as Jesus-followers, we are called to be sacrificial, not selfish.

Check out what Paul wrote about that:

“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” Philippians 2:3-5 NLT

If we say we follow Jesus, but our lives don’t look like Jesus’ life—then we have to ask ourselves if we’re really following Jesus.

In times of crisis, many people will turn inward. They’ll stock up supplies, hide themselves away, and hoard their resources. While there’s nothing wrong with being prepared, as the body of Christ, we put others first.

There’s a difference between wisely preparing and selfishly storing. If there’s a pandemic or emergency in your area, you should absolutely follow guidelines from your governmental and health officials. You should absolutely listen to wise council and prepare yourself and your loved ones. But we cannot serve ourselves at the expense of others.

Just think about the early Church. They continually met together. They sold property and personal possessions so that they could meet needs in their community.

As Jesus-followers, we are the Church. No matter what is happening in the world around us, we are called to lead the way in generosity. We are called to be the Church by loving those around us the way Jesus would.

We share with those in need. We stand ready to do what is good. We think of others before ourselves.

Jesus wasn’t selfish. He was sacrificial. He gave up His life so that we could find ours. As His followers, we lead the way—especially in emergencies—by being sacrificial, not selfish.

Pray: God, thank You for sending Jesus as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Help me to follow that example by living sacrificially, not selfishly. God, reveal to me any opportunities where I can serve others and share Your love. In Jesus’ name, amen.