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The Bible Clearly Says: Put Others First (Even During a Pandemic)

The Bible Clearly Says: Put Others First (Even During a Pandemic)

Last updated on: August 25, 2021 at 7:10 am by Matthew Distefano

The Bible Clearly Says: Put Others First (Even During a Pandemic) 2021-08-25T07:10:01-06:00 Matthew Distefano

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Too many American Christians are approaching this pandemic as if the only thing that matters is their so-called “personal freedoms.” I hate to make too many assumptions about them, but I don’t think they read the same Bible I do. If they did, wouldn’t they stumble across the following swath of verses about putting others first? Wouldn’t they then have to apply this litany of data to their approach to this current COVID crisis? But they’re not. They are still acting selfishly. They are still way more American than Christian.

But, just in case they are reading this tiny blog from the corner of the internet, here ya go:

Philippians 2:3

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Philippians 2:4

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Romans 12:10

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

1 Corinthians 10:24

Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

1 John 4:7-8

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Philippians 2:3-4

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Matthew 5:41

And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

Mark 9:35

And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”

Now please, don’t argue with me about this. My patience has run out for many of you. As a social worker, I’ve worked through this entire pandemic, putting myself at risk for the sake of people who refuse to look out for their fellow human. I’m tired. My empathy-meter reads “low fuel.” Argue with me in the comments section and I’ll probably just hit “delete.” Sorry, but not sorry.

WEAR A MASK. GET YOUR FDA-APPROVED VACCINE. STOP COMPLAINING. PUT YOUR CHRISTIAN MONEY WHERE YOUR CURRENTLY UNMASKED MOUTH IS.

If you wanna get to know me better, please follow me on social media. I’m pretty active on all platforms:

Also, if you’ve been digging my work on here, and want to see me be able to continue writing as close to full-time as humanly possible, please take a look at my Patreon page at www.patreon.com/mjdistefano. Even $1 a month helps bigly!!!

About Matthew Distefano

Matthew J. Distefano is the author of many books, cohost of the Heretic Happy Hour podcast, and is a long-time social worker. He lives in Northern California with his wife and daughter. You can read more about the author here.

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