To please or be pleased

Although the 80s were considered the “Me Generation,” selfishness has always been in fashion. When someone thinks about “pleasing,” which means to be agreeable, or to accommodate, they usually think about pleasing themselves, but there are some better alternatives that someone needs to please.

First, we must please God. Colossians 1:10 says, “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God” (cf. Colossians 3:20; 1 John 3:22; Hebrews 13:21). Second, we are to please our employees. Titus 2:9-10 says, “Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.” We should not be argumentative with our bosses, even when they are overbearing.

Third, we please our neighbors. Paul wrote, “Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth” (1 Corinthians 10:24; cf. Matthew 22:39; Romans 15:2). Finally, we please all that they may be saved. “Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved” (1 Corinthians 10:33; 9:19-23; 1 Peter 3:15). This scripture is not a license to do what we want, though. Some people may be in need of a bold denunciation of sin.

Pleasing as we should takes effort. Pleasing ourselves should not be our number one priority (Philippians 2:4-5, 21; Matthew 16:24). A lot of us want to seek our own, but Christ is the ultimate answer for selfishness.

Kyle Campbell