" . . . but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all."
I had never really noticed this phrase (above) before. God would have us pursue what is good--this we readily understand; but He would have us to this "both for *ourselves*," as well as "for all." This seems a bit like the "airplane principle": "put your own mask on first, and then put it on the child next to you."
It makes sense: if we are not cognizant of the states of our own hearts, we can be of little good use to the well-being of others. Are we faith-filled churchmen today, trusting in Jesus? If so, then let us pursue what is good--both for ourselves, as well as everybody else.
[Puritan quote of the day: "You have heaven while you are on earth when you have a contented spirit; yea, in some regards it is better than heaven." --Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment"]
