Love cares more for others than for self

Love cares more for others than for self. - 1 Corinthians 13:7 TM

Many of us would rather settle for achieving less than put up with 'people-problems'. But fulfilling a great dream usually means having a great team. And great teams are made up of people with strengths - and weaknesses. God seldom calls us to do the job alone; He calls others to stand with us. So, do you know who belongs in your life?

Jesus chose 12 disciples to help Him fulfil His mission on earth. One of them doubted Him, one denied Him and one betrayed Him. Yet He called them, knowing what they were - and could become.

After listing hardships that would make your worst day look like 'a walk in the park', Paul writes, "Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of... all the churches" (2 Cor 11:28 NIV). How did Paul evangelise Asia, guide the church and write half the New Testament? Through a team; he introduces them in Romans 16. Let's look at one of his team-building secrets. It's called:

Love. If you don't genuinely care about people they'll sense it and they won't stay with you. If you've a high turnover in your relationships, that could be your problem. Even your best team members will go through times that affect their performance. Jeremiah got so stressed out that he wanted to quit the ministry and go into the motel business (See Jer 9:2). Paul advised his right-hand man Timothy to "use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses" (1 Tim 5:23 NIV). Here's a helpful prescription for the stress that goes with people-problems. Write it down on a small card and read it regularly. "Love cares more for others than for self" (1 Cor 13:7 TM).

Note: The article is taken from The Word for Today", by Rhema Broadcasting Group in association with The Vine - www.thevine.co.nz.