An article called "Decision Making: Is It All 'Me, Me, Me'?" in the ScienceDaily (Apr. 29, 2008) cites a recent research by a team of psychologists indicating that most people will act in the best interest of their team, even if it involves self-sacrifice. This is contrary to the traditional assumption about decision making that people often act in their own self interest.

"We have shown that, in some circumstances, decision makers cooperate in their collective interests rather than following the purely selfish predictions of orthodox game theory," says Lead researcher Professor Andrew Colman, of the University of Leicester School of Psychology. "Theories of team reasoning were developed to explain why, in some circumstances, people seem to act not in their individual self-interest but in the interest of their families, companies, departments, or the religious, ethnic, or national groups with which they identify themselves."

Although our sinful natures may choose self-interest, Christ has provided us with the ultimate example of self-sacrifice and putting others before ourselves. As Christians, we are called to put God and others ahead of our own selfish interests, living a life that follows Christ's example on the cross.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Phil. 2:3-5

"Self-interest is the enemy of all true affection." Franklin D. Roosevelt

"Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" Jesus in John 15:12

At age 20 we worry about what others think of us. At 40 we don't care what they think of us. At 60 we discover they haven't been thinking of us at all. Ann Landers, via Context, quoted in Signs of the Times, March, 1993, p. 6.

A lady answered the knock on her door to find a man with a sad expression. "I'm sorry to disturb you," he said, "but I'm collecting money for an unfortunate family in the neighborhood. The husband is out of work, the kids are hungry, the utilities will soon be cut off, and worse, they're going to be kicked out of their apartment if they don't pay the rent by this afternoon." "I'll be happy to help," said the woman with great concern. "But who are you?" "I'm the landlord," he replied.

By Jon H. Allen.