Philippians 2:3-4

NASB	NLT	VOICE
3 Do nothing from selfish or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves;	3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.	3 Don’t let selfishness and prideful agendas take over. Embrace true humility, and lift your heads to extend love to others.
4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others	4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.	4 Get beyond yourselves and protecting your own interests; be sincere, and secure your neighbors’ interests first.

Sit Down. Be More Humbled.

The early church faced challenges from individuals seeking personal glory. Paul teaches that true Christian service is not about advancing ourselves, but about serving others. The want to impress others lacks substance and eternal hope. Jesus showed humility. Biblical humility is about recognizing our dependence on God and placing value on others. It’s a realistic assessment of ourselves in light of God’s greatness. Removing ourselves as priority and taking the needs of others seriously is the radical movement of Jesus. In the early church, this centered on unity and mutual care. A focus on this reflects Christ’s sacrificial love for us. 

Inner Priority for Others.

How are you prioritizing others? Now, more than ever, our world needs more listening, more compassion, more grace, and more mercy. I’m writing this just a couple days after the Charlie Kirk assassination. My spirit was deeply troubled by his death. Not because he died (although I do mourn for his family), but because of my heart posture towards it. I watched friends celebrate his voice being silenced, and part of me was happy about that too. Still, – I recognize the person that was lost there. I recognize that a family is without their father and husband. I also recognize that a voice that caused harm, evil, and discord is also no longer here. After a lot of prayer, my heart came to a place of right standing with God. I can mourn the person, and give glory to the break of evil. I can mourn the loss, and lift up the end of discord. All this to say, this circumstance helped me to understand the middle ground and find peace in the middle. I don’t need to be siding with one or the other, both can be true. I can listen to both sides without feeling frustrated. I can hear both sides without being disgruntled. It’s not showing that my philosophy is best. It shows that I can set aside my own feelings. I can meet others where they are. 

Value Others Above Us

In the cultural context of the Roman Empire, where Philippi was, their society valued personal honor and status. Paul challenged this mindset by urging Christians to emphasize the needs of others through careful consideration and attention. Simply put, this is a practical way to show how to love others as Christ loved us. It’s a model of Christian behavior and unites and loves the body of Christ. 

Pay Attention to Others

When it comes to loving others, it involves careful consideration and attention to others. When it comes to loving others, we need to start listening to the needs of the marginalized. Many government leaders have enacted legislation that takes away the rights of marginalized communities in our world. Many people do what is best for themselves to survive. They do not understand what it does to marginalized communities. The wealthy continue to store up everything to “survive” and leave very little for the impoverished. Men continue to dominate legislation without true understanding of the female reproductive system. Republicans and Democrats continue to not see eye-to-eye to preserve their party values over human priority. If we can set aside our own selfish needs for power and authority, change can occur. We must also reconsider what we consider to be “right.” We can start viewing things from the perspective of others. What legislation would work for the greater population? What programs should my church offer to my community? Who around me is struggling and can use some help? This is how we can love others as Christ loved us. 

Reflection Questions

1. What does it mean to “prioritize” others to you? 
2. What concerns do you see in your community? 
3. How can you meet those needs?

Call to Action

Read back over Philippians 2:3-4. Converse with God about how you are putting others above yourself. Ask Him to guide you into three ways to help your community out. 

Next slice of manna: Manna for the Mind #276