Philippians 2:3-4

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

In these verses, Paul expresses the antidote to selfishness and pride:  considering others more significant than ourselves.

Then in verse 4, he gets practical:

  • Look around:  how can you serve others’ interests?

Jesus came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  He said that whoever would be first among you must be your slave (Matthew 20:27).  He told His disciples – in answer to their dispute over which of them would be the greatest – to the to let the greatest among them become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves (Luke 22:24-27).

Jesus served (Luke 22:27).  When we look to and serve the interests of others through the power of Christ and the cross, we push back our tendency toward selfishness and pride.

May you and I grow in God’s grace through Jesus’s example.