What Do You Value?

Philippians 2 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.,

These verses are a contradiction to the world.  In the world, we value “out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.”  Value in the world succinctly spoken is “me, myself and I.”  Kind of sad but true!

I love the word “Rather” in verse 3 above.  Paul let’s folks know that contrary to the world, instead of that kind of living, live the following way. “In humility” not “selfish ambition or vain conceit”… “value others above yourselves.”  Let me assure you, the world doesn’t want any part of that.  This value system puts a stamp on Christian living that is totally different.  This living is what would change the world if we as Christians would live it out in front of our families, friends, associates, enemies, etc.  This ain’t the domain of darkness “rather” the kingdom of light!  Let’s choose to live the “rather” life!  The Jesus life is not “me, myself and I.”  RATHER, it is the “value of others above yourselves.”  Ouch!  You stop “looking to your own interest (and start looking) to the interests of the others.” 

By the way, Paul makes this real clear that he is not talking to the collective total of Christians.  He makes this a personal challenge… “but each of you.”  Each of us, everyone of us must embrace this value.

One little prepositional phrase enables this… “in humility.”  “In humility” only happens when you crawl off the throne of your life and surrender it to the Lord Jesus.  When you are “in humility”, you become a beautiful thing.  Why?  Because you look like Jesus.

What do you value?