I remember one morning in Sunday school during my freshman year in college when I commented on some kind of behavior (don’t remember what) as being selfish. One of the other students in the class quickly commented that he didn’t think there was anything wrong with being selfish. I couldn’t believe my ears, but at that time I didn’t know all that much about what the Bible said.

I knew about all the things Christians “didn’t do” – like smoking, drinking, cussing… the list might vary from church to church, but was being selfish on that list? This guy didn’t seem to think so. But somehow in my heart I knew he was wrong.

Reading Philippians 2:3-4 should put this matter to rest. “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others too.” (NLT)

This isn’t what the world teaches us is it? “Look out for Number 1” is the battle cry of the self-centered person. Many will tear others down hoping to make themselves look better in comparison.

The Apostle Paul went on to elaborate on how Jesus lived his life. Read it yourself in Philippians 2:5-11.

We must look to Jesus daily if we are to be successful in putting others ahead of ourselves. If we will make it our business to look out for others, God himself will look out for us.

Father God, thank you for giving us Jesus as our savior and living example of how we should live. Give us willing spirits to follow Jesus’ lead, and help us to not give in to the ways of the world.

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