Ours is a self-serving age. That's what George Sweeting, former president of Moody Bible Institute, told graduating seniors at Taylor University. To illustrate, he told of a farmer who was single and wanted a wife. So he put an ad in a newspaper that read: "Man 35 wants woman about 25 with tractor. Send picture of tractor."

All of us are infected with selfishness. That's why Paul told us to look out not only for our own interests but also for the interests of others. The "not only . . . but also" phrase keeps a proper balance.

This balance is also seen in the Old Testament law, "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Lev. 19:18). To make this practical for His people Israel, God instructed them not to reap the corners of their field nor gather the gleanings left behind by the workers. Why? "You shall leave them for the poor and the stranger" (vv.9-10).

Christ is the greatest example of the outward look. Even though He is God, He humbled Himself as a man and became obedient to the point of death. He was looking out for you and for me.

In what practical ways can you look out for someone today? The outward look is the Christlike look.  — Dennis J. De Haan