Others First

Back in 2008, a nonprofit organization made a bit of a media splash with their videos of first-hand testimonies of the life-changing difference Jesus made in many lives. The white chair, black background, stark spotlight, and unique filming caused the videos to be memorable and shareable. Now, over 15 years later, I Am Second videos are still being filmed, produced, and released.

While the I Am Second videos share stories of people putting Jesus first and self second, Philippians 2:4 (from our key passage for this One Thought from Philippians 2 series) also shows us that if Jesus is truly first in your life, then you will naturally put others before yourself. Here is how the English Standard Version puts this verse…

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4)

Toward the end of my sermon on Easter Sunday, I shared that the fastest path to unhappiness is the path of selfishness. Too often, we believe the lie that joy will be found by putting self first. Yet, that approach usually makes one miserable. It is in giving our time, energy, words, and more to another person that actually makes us feel far better about life.

But notice that the verse does not say, “Look not to your own interests at all…” In other words, living Christ-first-others-next doesn’t mean ignoring yourself. I hope you wisely care for yourself with healthy food, exercise, good sleep, and more. But the caution from Philippians 2:4 is to not let care of self interrupt and even stop your care of others.

Just as Christ put us first by going to a cross He did not deserve, let us put others first so they might see the love of God through our actions, words, and presence.