Summary: "I get this one," said Mike, grabbing the biggest piece of pie. His sister Melissa frowned. "You always take the biggest piece for yourself," she grumbled. Their brother Josh joined in. "Yeah," he said. "Can't you ever think of anyone but yourself?" Mike just scowled at Josh and went out to play games with some neighborhood kids. As Mike and his friends played in the back yard, his voice could often be heard over all the others. "Me first!" he shouted whenever a new game began. Melissa and Josh shook their heads and talked about Mike's behavior. "It's embarrassing when he always has to be first," said Melissa. "We've gotta do something about him!" So together, they thought up a plan. The next day after again hearing Mike say "me first" several times, Melissa and Josh decided it was time to put their plan into action. When Mike came in, from play, they were ready. A plate holding three shiny, red apples was on the kitchen table. "Oh, yummy!" exclaimed Mike. "I get this one." He grabbed the biggest apple, and Melissa and Josh quickly took the two smaller ones. Mike started to put the big apple to his mouth, then pulled it away and looked at it suspiciously. He tested it with his teeth. "Oh, you jerks!" he sputtered. "You tricked me! You served a plateful of wax apples." "Maybe you really tricked yourself," said Josh, biting into his apple. "Oh-h-h! This one is sweet and juicy. How's yours, Melissa?" "Delicious!" Melissa replied. She looked at Mike. "If you hadn't been greedy and taken the biggest one for yourself, you could have been eating one of these apples." With a scowl, Mike stalked out of the room. "Do you think he learned anything from that?" asked Melissa. "I don't know; I hope so," said Josh. "I guess time will tell. We'll just have to wait and see. Maybe we should try to think of more ways to show him that being selfish isn't the right way to live." How About You? Are you willing to take turns being first? Are you willing to sometimes let others have the biggest or best things? In today's Scripture reading, God warns against "exalting" yourself--thinking you're the best and putting yourself first. He says the way to be first is to be a servant. So put God first of all in your life, and then make "you first," not "me first," your motto. Today's Key Verse: If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all. (Mark 9:35) Today's Key Thought: Let others be first
