The welfare of others
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." (NIV) Philippians 2:3
Bible reading: Philippians 2:1-11
Young Maxwell entered the mall to buy … Reaching the aisle, he realized there was just one of the item left. Just as he reached to pick it, an elderly woman approached who was also coming to buy the same item. Getting to it first, young Maxwell reached for it and handed it over to the old lady. He smiled and said, “I will just go grab one from the next grocery shop”. With smiles on his face, he went two blocks down the street to get the item.
Paul admonished the Philippians to “do nothing out of selfish ambition…but rather look to the interest of others” (Philippians 2:3-4). As we go through life as Christians, our actions should not be centred on self-gains. What kind of Christians would we be, if all we do is always think about ourselves?
Our Lord Jesus Christ, whom we emulate, did not consider himself equal to God (Philippians 2:6-7) but humbled himself and prioritized the salvation of man over his heavenly glory. He came to earth to die a shameful death on a cross for our sake. John 3:16 reads, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”.
I urge you to pulse and ask yourself this question; “what would have been the state of man if God or Jesus Christ was selfish?” As humans, our nature is tilted towards pride and greed but God is reminding us this day to blot out all acts of selfishness from within us and never cease to always regard the welfare of others.
Hymn: And Can It Be, That I Should Gain? by Charles Wesley
And can it be that I should gain
an interest in the Savior's blood! Died he for me? who caused his pain!
For me? who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
An uninvited loving nose || More