Lesson 11: In Humility, Look Out For The Interests Of Others Series

Date: 7/13/18

Lesson #11

Title: In Humility, Look Out for the Interests of Others

Scripture: (Philippians 2:3, 4 NIV)

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Introduction

What was true for Jesus’ original disciples is no less true for the rest of the church Christ bought with His blood. In Philippians 2 Paul presses forward with his appeal for living worthy of the gospel by exhorting his readers to interact humbly with one another. A unified mindset requires humility, because humility is the essence of a Christlike disposition. The like-mindedness Paul commands all believers to have is low-mindedness. Paul describes this gospel-focused humility in Philippians 2:3-4 and illustrates it in verses 5-11 with the example of Jesus Christ. The Greek moralists despised humility because they regarded it as a form of servile subjection which was at odds with their concept of freedom. It was Christ who made it a mark of the noblest character.

Lesson

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit1. Rather, in humility value others2 above [more important than] yourselves,

The Bible supplies a good example of a person who is motivated by “vain conceit1.” After the Pharisees gave their money to God, a trumpet was blown in the temple in order to announce their contribution. Jesus declared, “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full” (Matthew 6:2). Again, this kind of pride is the manifestation of our flesh. [“Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other” (Galatians 5:26).] If we do not want to be proud, we must “walk in the spirit.” [“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25).] Humble people are never motivated by self-interest because their minds are set on the advancement of the gospel, not on the advancement of their personal agendas. Paul forbids these forms of pride in the strongest of terms. The only rivalry which is proper in Christians is that in which each seeks to outdo the other in esteeming the other. One is not to be concerned about receiving honors or advantages for himself. He is to be concerned that his brethren be honored and served.

We can often detect pride, especially in other people. A basketball player brags about how many points he scored. A musician smugly assumes her position as first chair. A politician runs a smear campaign against his opponent. A student laughs about how easy a certain class is. But what is humility? Is it simply avoiding “strife and vainglory”? As Paul continues his exhortation, he alludes to these THREE POSITIVE ELEMENTS OF HUMILITY.

First, Paul describes “humility” in terms of WHAT WE VALUE. The antidote to selfishness and pride is placing the importance of others2 ahead of our own. Paul is not suggesting that we grow careless about our own physical or spiritual well being. It is virtually impossible, not to mention personal hardship and sickness, not to have any concern for yourself. We need to prioritize our values by putting others ahead of ourselves. In other words, when humility is our attitude, we will regard our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ as the standouts, not ourselves. We will sincerely celebrate the success of others instead of maneuvering so that they notice our own. We will praise God for what He is doing through others and not take credit for what He may be doing through us. We will honor the accomplishments of others instead of insisting that everyone is aware of our own. This is what Paul means by his phrase in Romans 12:10, “in honor preferring one another.”

It seems clear from 3:12-163 that some in the church were claiming to have already attained spiritual perfection, but to claim a “glory” belonging to the future state was a form of “vainglory” that threatened to destroy the fellowship by the party-spirit and jealousy which it introduced. Such arrogant pride is, sadly, the most noticeable feature of those who are convinced of their own perfection. I met a man (a former preacher) in a nursing home who told me he had never sinned. I made an unsuccessful attempt to correct his thinking, for the Bible says, “all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God . . . ” I don’t believe this error in his theology affected his salvation and I am sure that he will change his mind in heaven. Egotism and boastfulness are apparently the perils besetting the Philippians’ Church.