WIIFM
WIIFM is not a new FM radio station. It is an acronym for “What’s in it for me?”. This sums up an attitude that is very prevalent today.
When managers try to introduce new ideas or make changes to procedures, they are often met with this attitude. The immediate reaction is not about how proposals will improve production or help the efficiency of employees. It is a reaction of how will the new procedure affect me?
This is a self-serving, self-centered mindset that permeates society. We live in an entitled world and must interact with it constantly. So, it behooves us to make sure we are not imbibing this attitude. With numerous offerings of Church of God belief and practice, it is entirely possible that members approach the spiritual/organizational smorgasbord with a “What’s in it for me?”-attitude.
We have the example of the Corinthian church recorded for us to learn from. In Paul’s first letter to the church, he addressed the members picking and choosing which minister to follow. One was of Paul, another of Apollos, another for Cephas and another saying they are of Christ.
Paul walked the members through a thought process to identify where this attitude was coming from and how to redirect their minds to a more spiritual way of approaching the Church.
He led them away from focusing on men. “… your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:5). He pointed them to the working of the Holy Spirit in men being important, not the men themselves. What knowledge they had, came from God through the Holy Spirit. He pointed out that sectarianism is carnal and leads to strife and division.
The solution was clear. Christ is the foundation we should all build on. It is a common foundation and overrules the carnality and differences of men.
This is achieved by our complete submission to Christ and His teaching by being bought by His sacrifice. The “What’s in it for me?” attitude has no place in a godly life. That is a carnal attitude which should have been buried in the baptismal pool. Our attitude needs to be, “What can I contribute to the spiritual body?”.
The Holy Spirit in a human mind recognizes another mind with the Holy Spirit. Paul refers to it as “spiritual discernment.” The natural mind does not recognize these things. So, Paul is able to say, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). The focus is not on Paul, but on Christ living in him.
This is a discernment we need to identify and exercise.
The WIIFM attitude is of Satan and only creates division and disunity if practiced in God’s Church. We should all be seeking the spiritual unity which a Christ-centered mindset promotes.
Brian Orchard
