Proverbs 28:25-28 (ESV)

[25] A greedy man stirs up strife,

but the one who trusts in the LORD will be enriched.

[26] Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool,

but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

[27] Whoever gives to the poor will not want,

but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.

[28] When the wicked rise, people hide themselves,

but when they perish, the righteous increase.

“Grab for the gusto!” A beer commercial. “Just do it!” A shoe commercial. “Have it your way.” A fast food commercial. “Good things come to those who go!” An airline commercial. The message of the world is that life is about me. The message of the Bible is that life is not about me. Greed is about me. Trust is about the trustworthiness of God. Self-confidence is about me. Wisdom is from God. Ignoring the poor and underprivileged is about me. Clicking a link that says we should care about the poor has replaced actually doing something to care for the poor. That takes less energy, commitment, and resources, but it makes us feel good. It makes us feel like we did something. Our world has an incredible ability to turn the message to me by redefining poor and underprivileged and making it about me and my needs. Ministering to the poor and needy is God’s heart. Righteousness always starts with an outward focus, not an inward focus. Life is not about me.

Righteousness starts with a focus on God. Righteousness walks in wisdom rather than self-indulgence. Righteousness sees the pain of others rather than the discomfort of self. Righteousness acts in the best interest of others even if it means loss for self. Righteousness sees the image of God in even the most vile individual. Righteousness recognizes the vileness of one’s own heart and realizes that God is the source of true righteousness. Righteousness is not about me.

This raises the question of who we are living for. A child is asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” When they grow up they are asked, “What do you want to do when you retire?” What do they ask themselves when they retire? “How many years do I have left?” You see, we are always looking for something that will satisfy us. We are always looking for the thing that will make us happy, contented, or at peace. But a career won’t do that. A spouse won’t do that. Retirement won’t do that. True contentment comes in the righteousness of God that moves us to serve others whether we are a child, a teen, a young professional, a seasoned career warrior, or a retiree. When we make life about God and others rather than about self, something changes in our hearts, minds, and perspective. We see ourselves and our world through a whole new lens. Life is not about me. Now that is a slogan that could change the world.