CONSIDER: John Piper said of this text “Look at Philippians 2:4: “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” The word “interests” is a filler. In the original, it’s open-ended. All that is specified is “your own (something)” or “the other’s (something).” So it could be, “Let each of you look not only to your own financial affairs, or your own property, or your own family, or your own health, or your own reputation, or your own education, or your own success, or your own happiness — don’t just think about that, don’t just have desires about that, don’t just strategize about that, don’t just work toward that, but look to the financial affairs and property and family and health, and reputation, and education, and success, and happiness of others.” 

In other words, verse 4 is a way of saying the words of Jesus, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself” (Matthew 22:39). That is, make the good of others the focus of your interest, and strategy, and work. Find your joy in making others joyful.” We are to have this mind that focuses on the interests of others because we were given a mind that could focus on the interests of others, it was one of the many gifts we received when we entered into our relationship with Jesus. Every day the Holy Spirit lives in you, he is transforming you to become more and more like Christ, capable of humility, obedience, self-sacrifice, and love even love for others.  

REFLECT: What state are those you love most in, how are they doing financially, regarding their property, family, health, reputation, education, success, and happiness? What would it look like for you to be just as invested in their success as you are in your own? What about those in your life group? What would it look like to those at your campus? What would it look like to those who you would call fellow followers of Christ? What keeps you from seeing how you can be a part of the success and well-being of others? 

PRAY:

• Praise: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! ² Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!³ Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!⁵ For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. 

• Thanksgiving: Thank you Father that you have made me capable of thinking of others. Thank you that you made it possible that I could consider others as more significant than myself. Thank you for considering me. Thank you for loving me and being invested in my well being.  

• Request: LORD help me to use the christ-like mind you have given me to consider others regularly and to be actively invested and involved in seeking their well-being. Help me to love others the way you love me.