There is a natural tendency for us to strive or desire to be famous, to be rich, to be number 1, to be the center of attention, and to be given the utmost importance.
But this is contrary to what Jesus is teaching us. To be first in His eyes, you must be last in this world.
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." Mark 9:35
And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? Matthew 16:26
Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? James 2:5
But among you, it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant. Mark 10:43
Situation #1
I noticed that my churchmate's attitude changed ever since he became a ministry head. He is entering the church with his head high and walks around like he is the owner of the place. He is exhibiting the natural tendency of us people when given a high position. I can't blame him. But, if you are aware of the teachings of Jesus and the examples that He showed, I believe you will not act this way.
Jesus as the king of kings and the Name above any other names, even with all His glory, even washed the feet of His apostles (John 13:5).
Jesus is the ultimate example of humility and meekness as shown in Matthew 11:29: Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
(The story of the old man whom I saw mopping the floor of the building because he accidentally spilled his coffee. It turned out that he is the owner. It is amazing he is so Christ-hearted that he doesn't care about doing a janitor's job.)
Situation #2
Your self-importance is so high that you always resent when you are not invited to an event of your acquaintance or your friend. And in cases where you are invited, you want to be seated in the best seat. What did Jesus say about this?
Jesus also taught: Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. Mark 12:38-39
What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you love to sit in the seats of honor in the synagogues and receive respectful greetings as you walk in the marketplaces. Luke 11:43
Luke 14:7-11
7 When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice:
8 “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited?
9 The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table!
10 “Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests.
11 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Situation # 3: Self-centeredness
You are so focused on yourself that your favorite words are "my" and "I". When you are listing the names of your group, you always put your name first. When you are in a conversation, when the other party has started telling something about himself, you constantly interrupt and tell instead your own story related to his story. The person you are talking to most often than not is not interested in your story, because he wants to tell his own story which you interrupted.
A good listener doesn't care about his own story but the story of the one he is talking to. This type of person (the good listener) usually is the one who has the chance to insert God's story instead of his own. He doesn't mind being not important as long as he shows that God is the most important, and ends up sharing the gift of salvation.
This will only be possible if your attitude is: "I don't deserve anything", "I am nothing" or "I am not worthy".
I must decrease and He must increase.