Philippians 2:3-7 – Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
In today’s world, it seems everyone has the I’m number 1 attitude. We are all interested in what is best for us, what makes us happy, how to be more comfortable and satisfied in our lives. Seems like we will do anything we can to get ahead in life, to get all the comforts and ‘things’ to make it easier for us.
These verses state that as followers of Christ, we should be doing just the opposite. Our thoughts and attitudes should be how we can show the love of God to others, what we can do to help those in need, how can we use the money God has blessed us with to help the less fortunate.
God says that the fulfillment of the Law is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind and to love others as yourself. While the jobs and ‘things’ we have been given and blessed with by God are not wrong, we need to keep in mind that they are not the important part of our lives. We are to be thinking of others and their need for love, acceptance and help. How can we encourage and build up someone, how can we help meet a need in their life.
There is nothing wrong with taking thought of our wants, needs and interests. The verse states ‘do not merely look our for your own interests’. Unfortunately, many times our own interests are all that concern us. May we daily ask for God to help us think of others and be ready to care for them in any way possible with God’s leading.
Done with Religion 
Thank you Mike for this timely reminder. I am discovering that it is precisely in the times of our own greatest need, or pain, or want, where the temptation to focus on self is the most intense, that this principle of self denial is so essential. It is actually a way of escape out of self-pity and self-focus; to turn to the revealed needs of others and to allow the love of Christ to flow outward.
Another thought is that in our modern, efficient world, the church has confused this with organizational giving, BIG works of charity. Although one cannot really argue that many needs are not being met, I believe the Lord prefers a personal touch. Why did He often physically reach out and touch those whom He healed? Certainly this was not necessary for the power of god to be released. I believe this expresses His love, His intimate involvement in the needs of others. This is a principle for us I believe.
The other thing is that as we put others ahead of ourselves, and start to subordinate them, a strange thing happens – the Lord takes care of us as He promised. All is His anyway, everything. It is His right to spend His money or share His resources as He deems fit.. If you are a bond servant of the Lord Jesus then you have forfeited all claim to everything in your possession, for a slave holds no property or provision unto himself. All is his masters. “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away” – it is His prerogative right?
“May we daily ask for God to help us think of others and be ready to care for them in any way possible with God’s leading.”
Amen my brother, amen. Thank you for sharing –
Wayne
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