2009 Nov 8 - Whose interests? (Phil. 2:5-11)

Mark Tran shared with us about how God’s leadership brought him to Kansas City.

Are we supposed to consider our own priorities after all?

In reviewing last week’s class, it was mentioned that Greek does not have the word “only” in “each one should look not ONLY to his own interests” (Philippians 2:4). Maybe this means we aren’t to consider our own interests? Most translators do have the word “only,” but that may be wrong. Dale promised to check this out when he got home.

Sure enough, there is not any “only” in the first part of the verse. But the second half begins, “rather also,” so that the “only” is strongly implied, even in the Greek. One way of putting it literally would be “not consulting his own interests, instead also the interests of others.” That “also” seems to justify the more common “not only” phrase in English.

Therefore, last week’s conclusion still seems to have biblical support: God has given each of us priorities that we are to follow, and we are right to consider those priorities and where they rank compared to others’ needs.

This week’s discussion points:

We looked at Philippians 2:5-11. We are essentially told to be like Jesus, who emptied Himself of His rights, and who was then rewarded for His obedience.

1. We are to help people with their boulders, not with their knapsacks. This is a modification of Galatians 6, and relates to Christians “setting boundaries” as they are asked to consider others as well as themselves.
2. Attitude affects everything. The sooner we get it set properly, the better our actions will be. That applies literally to each day, as well as to our lives overall.
3. In this passage, “attitude” might be considered “approach to life” rather than “current feelings about circumstances.”
4. One of the class members shared that she has developed her personal mission statement. This keeps her focused on what’s really important in life, allowing her to check her actions by comparing them to her “attitude/approach to life.”
5. Paul tells us what our attitude “should be.” This strongly suggests that we are to be involved. At the very least, we ought to strive for such an attitude. Paul may also be saying, “This is what God will help you to achieve as you follow Him.” There doesn’t seem to be room for any “That’s just the way I am” excuses.
6. Rewards are a legitimate part of God’s plans. Of course, as Jesus said repeatedly in Matthew 5-7, some of those rewards may not be received until we are in heaven. But God does have rewards for those who follow, even in this matter of “attitude adjustment.”