In the 1998 baseball season, slugger Sammy Sosa was the first to reach 66 home runs, but Mark McGwire ended the season four ahead with a record-setting 70 round-trippers. It's conceivable that Sosa might have hit more. As the season wore on, McGwire's St. Louis Cardinals were not in contention, so he had the freedom to swing for the fences at every bat. Sosa's Cubs were contending for a playoff berth, so he needed to put the requirements of his team above his own goal. Often he attempted to reach first by getting a walk, or he would deliver a base hit to advance a runner. Sosa said, "My team's desires are more important than my quest for a home run record."
His attitude and hitting helped his Cubs make it to the playoffs, and Sosa went on to be voted Most Valuable Player of the National League. Sosa's unselfish attitude is what we are called to have as members of the church. We are to give ourselves away for the sake of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
—Greg Asimakoupoulos. Leadership, Vol. 20, no. 2., Today's Best Illustrations – Volume 5, (Carol Stream, IL: Christianity Today, 1997), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "UNSELFISHNESS".
Psalm 149:4 (TEV) The LORD takes pleasure in his people; he honors the humble with victory.
1 Corinthians 10:28 (TEV) But if someone tells you, "This food was offered to idols," then do not eat that food, for the sake of the one who told you and for conscience' sake.
Romans 8:8 (TEV) Those who obey their human nature cannot please God.
