Philippians 2:3-4

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Philippians 2:3-4

Selfish ambition always pulls another person down and conceit pushes oneself up! It’s all with one purpose, to exalt ourselves and put ourselves in a position of power or prominence. If all you do is for your benefit, then division in inevitable. We would come to church and say, “I don’t like that worship song, it’s too fast. Can you believe it, that person is sitting in my spot? That usher didn’t smile at me, I would be much more friendly if I was ushering.” And Church becomes a place to have our needs met rather than a place to serve one another.

The key is to, “esteem others better than yourself.” How does this happen? By humbling yourself and making the decision to place others above yourself. The natural, carnal mind doesn’t work this way, but as we walk in the Spirit and see others in the body as brothers and sisters in Christ, we choose to esteem them higher.

We should come to fellowship seeking to bless others, hoping for opportunities to minister to each other. “Looking not on your own interests, but on the interests of others.” I know that as we seek to bless others, we will end up blessed as well.

Pastor Doug Hardin