In an echo of do unto others as you would have them do unto you, Paul instructs the church members in Philippi: In humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Easy to read—hard to practice.
Paul writes to folks living and working and worshipping in close proximity to each other, which makes all this so much harder.
I nod politely to an acquaintance, I help them carry something to their car, I give them a few minutes of my time. I’m not close to them, they don’t infringe on my interests, and so it’s easy to play nice.
But Paul wants me to consider those with whom I work closely, those who disagree with my good ideas or talk over me. Some people fail to grasp just how wonderful I am. Or worse, they know me well enough to know I’m not so wonderful.
In the first situation I act nice on auto-pilot. But in the second, I need the Holy Spirit to remind me of Paul’s words and to empower me to live them out. Only then can I truly look to the interests of others.
Philippians 2 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022
Photo by Carine L.
Don’t forget our team norms. “Don’t interrupt a teammate unless what you have to say is more important.”
That was a worthy norm!