… not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Summary: Paul’s words about looking out for the interests of others echo similar words Jesus said when he was on earth.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone were looking out for me? I mean, really, think about it. If everyone looked out for me, I wouldn’t have to look out for me and I could look to the interests of others.
See how that works?
Of course, that is not really how it works.
Life is complicated. Not everyone is looking out for my interests or yours. Some people only look out for themselves, and if you try to help, they are glad to take it, but they don’t give anything back.
So why does Paul tell us to be humble, value others more than ourselves, and look out for the interests of others rather than ourselves?
Paul actually answers this question in the next verse. He tells us to have the same mindset as Jesus Christ.
This is a brilliant strategy because it forces us to think about Jesus, who he was, what he did, and who he is now. It also challenges us to think about our own behavior and, of course, the behavior of others.
So, who are the “others” Paul is talking about?
In the context of Paul’s letter, it appears that he is referring to “one another” (Philippians 2:5), meaning other believers. However, in the larger context of being a Christian, we are challenged to look out for those who don’t believe as we do, too.
The Good Samaritan comes to mind as an illustration of this principle.
If you remember the parable (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus tells the story of a man who asks how to inherit eternal life. Jesus responds with his summation of the Old Testament and says, essentially, love God and love your neighbor. The man then asks, “Who is my neighbor?”
Jesus’ reply is a story about a man from Samaria who finds a Jew on the side of the road. We know from the story of the Woman at the Well (John 4:1-26) that Jews do not associate with Samaritans (v. 9). To put it more bluntly, Jews looked down on Samaritans and treated them badly. In spite of this, the Samaritan stops to help the Jew who is bleeding and naked and has had everything stolen from him.
Jesus’ final words at the end of this story apply to our passage as well. In answer to the man who had asked about getting to heaven, Jesus points to the Samaritan caring for his enemy and says, “Go and do likewise.”
We should, too.
Application: Do what Jesus and Paul tell us to do. Find ways to serve others.
Food for Thought: What happens to our spiritual lives when we put ourselves first?
What happens to our spiritual lives when we put ourselves first?
The result of putting life in our flesh first is spiritual death.
Proverbs 26:11, Like a dog that returns to his vomit Is a fool who repeats his foolishness.
Romans 8:6, For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,
Colossians 2:13, Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45
We are each creations of God, given physical life on earth, for a predetermined time, during which we knowingly make our choice to live in or separate from our God. Do we seek to serve our flesh, or allow Jesus Christ to put the desires of our flesh to death and seek eternal spiritual life in Jesus Christ.
Matthew 6:33, But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also. AMP
Thank you, Ron!
“Spiritual death …” Blunt, but true!
Great verses, too!
What happens to our spiritual lives when we put ourselves first?
Putting ourselves first is not “denying ourselves.” Christ is clear that to follow Him, to call Him Lord, we must deny ourselves and take up our cross daily.
Luke 9:23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
The opposite to this is to be in opposition to Christ, and in opposition we lose fellowship with Him. This doesn’t mean we lose salvation as a believer, it means we have allowed a barrier to come between us and Christ. Like a branch that is cut off from the life of the vine, our spiritual life will begin to wither. We become easy susceptible to the temptations of our flesh.
Matthew 12:30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
When we are in opposition to Christ, we are in opposition to God.
James 4:6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Focus on ourselves is hostility toward God.
Romans 8:7-8 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Thank you, Chris!
I appreciate how you point us to the ongoing battle between our flesh and God’s Spirit. I like the way you put it:
“Focus on ourselves is hostility toward God.”
Well said!
Good devotion and comments. Thank you all.
CS Lewis in Mere Christianity talks about how if you decide to do something nice for someone else, you find yourself liking them and caring about them more and more. Conversely, if you do an evil turn to someone, such as gossiping about them, you find yourself liking them less and less.
I agree with his point of view because I have seen this in my own life. If you cooperate with the Holy Spirit you begin to not only do what Jesus wants you to do, but your attitude follows. Conversely, if you disobey and play into the enemies hands, your attitude follows until you repent.
All this to say, when we put ourselves first in our actions our attitude follows until we are completely self absorbed and the commandment to love God first and our neighbor as ourselves becomes a distant unattainable goal. But if we put God and others above ourselves everything falls into alignment with that greatest commandment.
Others have already quoted Like 9: 23 and Romans 6: 33. But they certainly apply.
Nicely said, Rich!
“…if we put God and others above ourselves everything falls into alignment with that greatest commandment.”
Amen!
* oops – I meant Matthew 6: 33