Principle 5 of the CIA of being a man covenant is that a man of covenant places the needs of his family and others above his own.
This is really an expression of God's love which He has placed in every Believer as described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, with emphasis on the five words in v5 that say love "does not seek its own". This means putting the well being and best interests of others above your own, and giving of yourself to the fullest for the benefit of others without expecting anything in return.
The covenent of marriage is a model of how the church is to function, with Ephesians 5:25 telling men that as husbands we should love our wives just as Christ loved the church and (this next part is what I really want us to get as men of covenant) "gave Himself for her". Ephesians 6:4 tells us as fathers we shouldn't provoke our children but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. These scriptures exemplify putting the needs of others above our own.
Mark 12:28-31 tells us that the two greatest commandments are to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength; and (this is what I want us to get) love our neighbors (other people, all other people) as we love ourself.
Do you put the needs of your family and others above your own as an expression of God's love in you? Are there times when you act a little selfish and put yourself first when you should have/could have put the needs of your family or others first? Most of us in all honesty probably have to respond "sometimes" to both of these questions.
Now there are times when you should put yourself first, such as, in your personal relationship with God and in obedience to a Word/instruction from God (which is many times though for the benefit of someone other than you). But if we are obedient to Matthew 6:33 and seek God's Kingdom first, we should for the most part as men of covenant find ourselves putting the needs of our family and others ahead of our own.
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