[Love] is not rude, it is not self-seeking – 1 Corinthians 13:5
Being rude is so much more than just not using your manners or budging to the front of the line. The Greek word used here is more about a way of life. A character trait that describes a person that couldn’t care less about other people. They’re only concern is getting what they want without any consideration of how it may affect other people. It’s as if they are not even aware of the fact that there are other people in the world. And this type of behavior is completely in contrast with the kind of love God has for us. The kind of love we are supposed to have for others. Agape love not only sees other people, it sees them through God’s eyes. When we show agape love, we set aside what might be best for us especially when it could cause harm to someone else. We become conscious of other people’s time, their needs, their concerns. And people notice!
The next admonition is along the same lines. Agape love is not self-seeking. Today’s world of self-help best sellers and attitudes of entitlement has caused us to spend far too much time looking at ourselves. A self-seeking attitude asks, “What’s in it for me?” Agape love turns this attitude inside out and upside down. This kind of love seeks nothing in return. Not even good feelings. It means considering only what I can do for someone else. Agape love is not a fair-share, 50/50 kind of love. We give 100% for other people because we know God will fill us back up.
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. – 1 Corinthians 10:23-24
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. – Philippians 2:3-4