The twenty-four elders in heaven made it clear in Revelation 4:11 that we were created to fulfil God’s pleasure. When we live for ourselves alone, we negate the purpose of our existence. When a person lives for God, he or she would not abuse any privilege or opportunity.

Joseph is a good example of someone who lived for God and his fellow human beings, particularly his brothers. Even though they eventually repaid him with evil, his selfless service made him go the extra mile to find them and deliver their food to them when he couldn’t locate them initially. He could have returned home with the supplies he took with him, but he didn’t. You can find the story in Genesis 37:13-28. Joseph’s love for God caused him to reject the sexual advances of his master’s wife. He could not bear doing anything that will displease God, and this made him say in Genesis 39:9:

There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

Furthermore, his love for people made him interpret the dreams of his fellow inmates, which led to him becoming the Prime Minister of Egypt. When he eventually came into power, he did not consider the hardships he endured due to the cruelty of his brothers when they sold him into slavery. The love of God in him made him realise that his sufferings served a higher purpose for God and humanity. He said in Genesis 50:20:

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

Our Father in heaven wants us to live a selfless life so that we can attain the fullness of His purpose for our lives. Those who are selfish short-change themselves without knowing it.

Moses, even though he lived in affluence in Pharaoh’s palace, decided to suffer with his brethren (the Israelites) and eventually saved them from bondage by leading them out of Egypt (Hebrews 11:24-27). His selflessness ensured that he fulfilled God’s purpose for his life and the nation of Israel at large. Beloved, begin to live beyond yourself, and you will have the fullness of God’s grace to divinely prosper, both spiritually and physically.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.