As Christians, we are called to live lives of love and selflessness, following the example set by Jesus Christ. Putting others before ourselves is a key aspect of walking in faith and humility. The Bible offers guidance on how we can prioritize the needs and well-being of others, demonstrating God’s love through our actions. Below are important themes on this topic, along with relevant Bible verses.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Loving Everyone
Humility and Service
Humility is foundational in the Christian walk, and it is through serving others that we truly live out our faith. Jesus modeled humility by serving those around Him, even washing His disciples’ feet. The Bible encourages us to adopt the same mindset, putting others’ needs above our own desires, and offering acts of service without seeking recognition.
Philippians 2:3-4
“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.”
Matthew 20:26-28
“But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 9:35
“He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.””
1 Peter 4:10
“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.”
John 13:14-15
“And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.”
Love in Action
True love is not just a feeling but a decision to act in the best interest of others. The Bible shows that love is expressed through sacrifice and putting the needs of others first. When we love others as Christ loves us, we demonstrate God’s love to the world and fulfill His command to love our neighbors as ourselves.
Romans 12:10
“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”
1 John 3:18
“Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.”
Galatians 6:2
“Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.”
John 15:12-13
“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
Hebrews 13:16
“And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.”
Selflessness and Sacrifice
Selflessness is a recurring theme in the Bible, where we are called to think less of ourselves and more about the needs of others. Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the cross is the perfect example of putting others first. By following His lead, we learn that real joy and fulfillment come from living sacrificially and serving others.
Matthew 16:24
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.””
1 Corinthians 10:24
“Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.”
Matthew 5:42
“Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.”
Luke 6:38
“Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”
Proverbs 19:17
“If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord— and he will repay you!”
Encouraging and Supporting Others
The Bible teaches that we should encourage and support one another in our journey of faith. By building others up and showing kindness, we foster unity in the body of Christ. These verses remind us of the importance of offering words of encouragement and helping others grow in their walk with God.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”
Galatians 6:9-10
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.”
Proverbs 12:25
“Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.”
Hebrews 10:24
“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.”
Ephesians 4:29
“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”
Generosity and Giving
Generosity is a reflection of God’s heart for humanity. As believers, we are called to give freely and joyfully, sharing our resources, time, and talents with others. When we give with a heart full of love, we honor God and become a blessing to those around us. These verses highlight the importance of generosity as an act of faith and love.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7
“Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. ‘For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.'”
Luke 3:11
“John replied, ‘If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.'”
Proverbs 11:25
“The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.”
Acts 20:35
“And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”
Matthew 6:3-4
“But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”
Putting Others First in Relationships
The Bible places great importance on putting others first, especially in our relationships. Whether in marriage, friendships, or community, we are called to love unselfishly and prioritize others’ well-being. This not only fosters healthy relationships but also reflects the love of Christ in our daily interactions.
Ephesians 5:21
“And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
Colossians 3:13
“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
Romans 12:16
“Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!”
1 Peter 3:8
“Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.”
John 13:34-35
“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
Forgiving Others
Forgiveness is one of the most powerful ways to put others before yourself. It requires humility, grace, and love. The Bible is clear about the importance of forgiveness, and as followers of Christ, we are called to forgive others just as God has forgiven us. Forgiveness brings healing and restoration to relationships and helps us reflect the love of God.
Matthew 6:14-15
“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Colossians 3:12-13
“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
Ephesians 4:31-32
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
Luke 6:37
“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.”
Mark 11:25
“But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”
Patience and Kindness
Patience and kindness are essential attributes of love and putting others first. The Bible emphasizes the importance of being slow to anger and quick to show compassion. Practicing patience allows us to bear with one another’s weaknesses, and kindness fosters a loving environment where people can grow and flourish.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.”
Proverbs 15:1
“A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.”
James 1:19-20
“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.”
Proverbs 16:32
“Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.”
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Leading By Example
What Does the Bible Say About Putting Others Before Yourself
One of the central messages of the Bible is the importance of putting others before ourselves. But what does this really mean in everyday life? How do we balance our needs with the needs of others?
To begin with, putting others first means looking at life through the eyes of love. It’s about being selfless, kind, and compassionate. It’s not about ignoring your own needs but rather finding ways to help others whenever you can. We live in a world that often encourages us to focus on ourselves—on what we want, what makes us happy, or how we can get ahead. But Christianity calls us to a different way of living. It calls us to think about how our actions can serve and bless others.
Imagine you are in a group where everyone is looking out for each other. In that group, no one feels alone, neglected, or without support. This is what putting others first creates. It fosters a community where love, peace, and kindness grow. You begin to think, “How can I make someone’s day better?” or “What can I do to ease someone’s burden?” And in doing this, you bring joy and help to those around you.
Putting others first doesn’t mean you never think about yourself. It’s about finding a balance. For example, if you’re tired but someone needs your help, you may choose to help them out of love, even if it’s a little inconvenient for you. It’s in these moments that we reflect the true heart of a Christian—serving others without expecting anything in return.
An important part of this is humility. When we put others first, we are showing humility. We are saying, “Your needs are important to me.” Humility is not about thinking less of ourselves, but rather thinking more about others. It’s about recognizing that we are all equal in God’s eyes and that helping one another is a way of expressing that love.
It can be difficult at times to put others before yourself, especially when life gets busy or stressful. But even small acts of kindness can make a big difference. Offering a listening ear, sharing a meal, or even just giving someone a smile can show that you care. These actions, although small, show the heart of Christ at work in you.
One of the challenges many Christians face is learning how to balance self-care with caring for others. God wants us to take care of ourselves, too, but not at the expense of forgetting about those around us. By being attentive to the needs of others, we practice living out the love we are called to show.
In the end, putting others before ourselves is not just about grand gestures. It’s about living every day with a mindset of love and service. It’s about opening our hearts to see the needs of those around us and doing what we can to meet those needs. Whether through big actions or small ones, we can make the world a little brighter by caring for others. And in doing so, we live out the Christian faith in a meaningful way.