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”Do nothing out of
selfish ambition or vain conceit,
but in humility
consider others better than yourselves.
Each of you should
look not only to your own interests,
but also to the
interests of others.”
Phil. 2:3-4 (NIV)
Paul
gives us some very basic thoughts here. We should not think how conditions
affect us. We should place the feelings of others ahead of our own. He tells us
we should do this with humble hearts.
The last
sentence of this passage speaks to my heart. It tells me I should not allow my thoughts about other people’s needs,
attitudes, or conditions color my perspective as I try to minister to them.
I think often the church (in America, at least) thinks they are humble and selfless in many ways, but in reality, we've Americanized things and are not always as genuinely spiritual as we think. That is, we view things through a "me centered" society. At least, I think I have more than I realized. The Lord's been showing me areas where I've needed to change my attitude and actions to reflect Jesus and how He'd respond to a situation. Appreciate you sharing this, Cecelia!
ReplyDeleteKaren: I agree with your thought. Some of my friends and I have said repeatedly, "I have too much stuff!" I started yesterday going through my clothes to put away the summer stuff and get out the fall/winter things. As I am doing the change-over, I am sorting items into keep, get rid of, send to cleaners, and discard. I have to do this or I feel I will drown in this 'stuff.'
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