others, others, others FIRST

Philippians 2:3-5  NASB

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,

We live in a selfish world.  People are bombarded with ideas of success that include stepping on others rather than building them up, but God’s way is very different.

Earlier some of the disciples came to Jesus and asked a couple questions.  Some asked who is the greatest in the kingdom.  Another asked if he and his brother could sit next to Jesus in heaven.

Both had serious flaws.  Both showed tones of selfishness.  They might have had some form of pure motives, but they ended up with themselves or what they thought being what is central.  That couldn’t be any farther than what Jesus had on His mind and in His heart.

It is all about others.  We are to serve others.  He died for and gave all for others.  Serving means not expecting anything back after you meet the needs of the people around you.

That literally is the attitude, passion and purpose of our Savior, the Son of God, the one who became man, Jesus.  By choosing to make others important we choose what Jesus chose.  There are several things that happen when we choose to serve rather than to be served.

One of the largest things that happens is that we remind people of their value.  Jesus spoke of our value and each person’s value by giving His life for theirs through His death on the cross of Calvary.  When we choose to serve, we choose to remind those we serve that they are important to God, they have God given and built in value in their lives.

We all have slants and needs and opinions and desires, and if our desires get in the way of giving others value, we are going in the wrong direction.  How will you and I this week remind more people of their incredible, God given worth?

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” -- Mother Teresa