McDonald’s. Burger King. The two greatest rivals in the fast-food industry. Yet, on September 26, 2019, in Argentina, Burger King set aside the competition for one day to support a good cause. Two dollars from every Big Mac and signature burger sold went toward raising funds for children with cancer. To help raise money for this worthy cause, Burger King restaurants in Argentina removed Whoppers from their menu on that day, encouraging customers who wanted a burger to visit the Golden Arches and increase the success of McDonald’s fund raiser. McDonald’s restaurants in Argentina sold over 73,000 more Big Macs than in the previous year, making it a record year for this annual fund raiser. Undoubtedly, Burger King gained some positive publicity through this act of kindness, but publicity based on an act of selflessness in today’s competitive market is certainly noteworthy.

Performing for an imaginary audience

The adolescent brain can seem rather egocentric, making selflessness a somewhat foreign concept. During their teenage years, young people develop mutual perspective taking, or beginning to understand that other people may have different points of view from their own. This can cause adolescents to be very aware of how they seem to others. It is as if teenagers are always thinking of what psychologists call the “imaginary audience.” Their new awareness of others’ thoughts and opinions leads to an often false belief that others are always thinking about them. With this constant thought of being in the spotlight, teens can come across as being self-centered rather quickly.

Living like Jesus

Due to their current stage of cognitive development, it is important to teach young people about the Christian call to selflessness. Jesus did not think of himself as higher than he ought. He put others before himself in all instances, even to the point of dying on a cross (Philippians 2:8) so that we may live forever in heaven. As followers of Jesus, we should live life in this same light, thinking about ourselves less and others more.

Question of the day: What does our obsession with selfies and posies say about us?
Focal scriptures: 1 Kings 17:7-16; Matthew 20:20-28; 1 Corinthians 10:23—11:1

For a complete lesson on this topic visit LinC.