Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
What a simple verse followed by one of the most majestic passages in all of the Bible. Our Lord, being in very nature, God did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. He made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant being made in human likeness. So we see this picture of the love, the grace, the self-sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and it follows on this exhortation, really a variety of practical exhortations in the beginning of Philippians 2, but specifically here in verse 4, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others,” because this is who Jesus is. This is what Jesus has done for us. He’s looked to our interests. Paul knew that one of the keys that contributes to Christian joy and walking in fellowship with the Lord, is that brothers in Christ are kind and considerate to one another, having the love of Christ in their hearts, and being one in spirit and like-minded in purpose. He knew that an unselfish attitude of heart and humbleness of spirit towards our brothers and sisters in Christ was a key to maintaining our joy in the Lord, and so we are all called upon to care about the interests of others above our own. We are not to neglect our own needs, for we are called upon in everything, by prayer and supplication, to make our requests known to the Lord. But we are instructed to do nothing from selfish ambition, nor should we be motivated to impress others, but in gentle humility of heart we are to count others interests and needs as more significant than our own…that our joy may be complete. How honoring to the Lord if we were to take this simple instruction to heart, and not only look to our own interests but also to the interests of others. We need to allow the Lord to help us to recognize and respond to the needs of others, willingly, cheerfully, with humility of heart, and gentleness of spirit. May we not be so concerned with our own needs that we miss the aching needs of another.
Spiritual Steve 