Please explain 1 Corinthians 10:24.
The meaning of this verse will be much clearer if we read it from the Amplified Bible. 1 Corinthians 10:24 says, “Let no one seek [only] his own good, but [also] that of the other person.” Paul the apostle gives a similar expression in Romans 15:2-3, “Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.” The thought is that we should put the needs of others above our own needs, even as the Lord did not seek to please Himself. It’s not that we should deny or ignore our own needs. As responsible adults we need to take care of ourselves and our families as we read in 1 Timothy 5:8, “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” However, we should be aware of the needs of our family, friends, neighbors, etc. so that we might minister to them as the Lord leads.
The Lord instructs us in Galatians 5:13, “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but BY LOVE SERVE ONE ANOTHER.” This certainly fits in with the teachings of the Lord Jesus in Matthew 22:38-39 where He says, “This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR AS THYSELF.”
Let’s consider 1 Corinthians 10:32-33, where Paul writes, “Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.” Paul sought the benefit of others. He did not intentionally desire to offend others; he sought the good of others. By this example, Paul’s desire was that others might be saved.
Philippians 2:3 tells us, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” When we value the needs of others above our own needs, we will seek to be a help to others. On the same token, when we consider the needs of others above our own, other believers will consider our needs above their own. In the end, all needs will be met, but we will have experienced loving and caring for others and having others love and care for us. This is the way of the Lord. (CC) (541.2)