Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Have you ever been surprised by a nice deed someone did for you? Videos of wild generosity often go viral on the internet because these moments stand out. In a world full of selfishness, a selfless act surprises and makes us curious. Paul encouraged the Philippians to not only do occasional nice or generous acts but also to change their perspective completely from an inward focus to looking out for others and their needs.

In Christ, we have been filled with God’s Spirit and made complete in Him. We don’t have to find people or things to fill us because we have all we need. Because Christ fills us and has made us new, we have a new capacity and call to pour into others. We stop living for ourselves and start living like Jesus, as humble servants. But even when we have been transformed by Christ it is hard to make a habit of serving others. We still wrestle with selfishness. So, Paul’s encouragement was not only toward occasional acts; it was also an invitation to take up a new life of humility in Christ. He makes a life of service possible. He changes us from people who merely do nice things to those who live to display who He is to a world that is searching for Him.

• Who has been an example of humility in Christ to you? How have they lived differently from others?
• Where do you struggle with humility? Where do you struggle with selfish motivations?
• Pray and confess to God where you are wrestling with selfishness. Ask Him to transform you into a humble vessel that reflects Him.