SELFISHNESS

Philippians 2:3-11

Does man exist for himself? Did God really put us on earth just so we can advance ourselves and live a happy life? To live life simply for oneself may sound repulsive and unacceptable, but the reality is: there are many people whose ultimate goal in life is the pursuit of their personal happiness. Believe it or not, even great men of the Bible are not exempted from this attitude. Listen to the testimony of Solomon in Ecclesiastes 2: 3-11:

I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly--my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives. I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired men and women singers and a harem as well--the delights of the heart of man. I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me. I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.

Can you notice the number of times he used the phrases I, myself, my, me? He used them around 30 times in just 9 verses. Solomon started out being so blessed because of the wisdom that God bestowed upon him. He sought for this wisdom because he wanted to adequately serve the nation of Israel. However, his heart eventually turned from serving others to serving and living for himself. I hope you won't miss the last verse. He ended up being disappointed because his pursuit turned out to be empty and meaningless. Can you imagine the frustration?

I believe this is an essential perspective that I want to address this morning as we continue our series: Slaying the Giants. Through this series, we have been looking at some of life's enemies that are keeping us from enjoying God's best. We have already considered: self-sufficiency, strongholds, and slothfulness. Today, the giant we must confront and defeat is selfishness.

According to Webster, selfishness is "caring unduly or supremely for oneself, regarding one's own comforts or advantage in disregard or at the expense of others." In our society the expression of selfishness is everywhere. In fact, it is so common that it's an accepted way of life. That's the reason why the Apple Store is thriving in promoting products that caters to this mindset - IPod, ITunes, ITouch, IPhone, etc. However, as God's people we should know better. When you go to the Bible, it is clear that this is not the way for us. And that if we insist, this will only lead us to a more complicated and miserable life. Let's examine this together and learn how we can overcome it.

I     SEE THE SELFISHNESS IN YOU:

Just like any other sin, selfishness is easier seen in someone else than in our own lives. But, if we honestly and carefully examine ourselves, we can clearly see our struggle with it. Most often, it is the most visible manifestation of our sinful nature. For example, watch little kids; you don't have to teach them to be selfish, but they will demonstrate it. If they have a toy, it's theirs and no one else can have it. But if another kid has a toy, it's also theirs and they have to have it that they'll grab it and fight for it.

Unfortunately, many do not outgrow this attitude even when they have become adults. The tendency to put priority on our own personal interests - our schedule, our agenda, our needs, our desires has caused us many complications in life. Think of marriage for example, if you don't overcome selfishness, it would ruin your relationship. Both husband and wife must be willing to share in almost everything like money, time, and energy for marriage to succeed.

Are you sensitive with your selfish tendencies? Again, because of our sinful nature, it is easier for us to show selfishness. That's the reason why Paul have taken the time to command the Philippians believers to be unselfish - Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

I hope we won't miss what Paul had emphasized if we want to be unselfish:

A. "In humility consider others better than yourselves"

It is quite clear that our natural tendency to always try to outdo others or our attempts to always look better than others clearly spring out of our selfish nature. Paul commands us first to be humble. This is the attitude that does not overestimate one's worth, but always sees one's worth according to God's truth. With this attitude, we would be able to prefer others better than ourselves.

B. "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."

Then, we also cannot be self-absorbed only thinking of our own interests. We have to strive in giving attention to the interests of others. In fact, we are very much in line with Christ heart when this is our attitude. A perfect illustration is found in Matthew 20. Remember the mother of James and John going to Christ with a bold request:

Jesus politely told her that these positions were not for Him to give. However, the mother's selfish request triggered some serious animosity among the disciples. Jesus took the opportunity to instruct the disciples about humility and unselfishness. He said:

Our selfishness will not get us into God's best. God's way is the other way around: We have to put others before us, help them to be better, serve them according to their needs. Then, God will move us to the next level.

II    SACRIFICE FOR OTHERS:

After the apostle Paul had specifically encouraged believers to overcome selfishness by intentionally putting others ahead of themselves, he moves them to see the example of Jesus Christ.

Carefully examine our text beginning in verse 5. Paul will provide an outstanding narration of the unselfish sacrifice of Jesus Christ in order that he would be able to grant us the great blessings in life. Because he had our best interest in His heart, he had to make tremendous sacrifices:

A. "He made himself nothing" (v.7)

In theology this statement is often understood as the Self-Emptying of Jesus. Of course, it doesn't mean that Jesus emptied Himself of divinity when He became man. This simply means that Jesus voluntarily surrendered the independent exercise of His natural attributes. Here is a perfect verse for it.

While Jesus was here on earth, His divine glory was concealed from the people who knew and saw Him.

B. "taking the very nature of a servant" (v.7)

He did not come as a prince, or as a king. He chose to live as a poor, lowly servant. He was the son of a lowly carpenter.

C. "being made in human likeness" - (v.7)

Since we are humans, it's difficult for us to appreciate the sacrifice involved here. But think about yourself being changed into a fly. How would you feel? Would you choose to be someone much lower than who you are for the benefit of another person? I'm sure that would be a real struggle.

D. "He became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!" (v.8)

Death on the cross would be the ultimate sacrifice for Jesus. He was not only willing to live a lowly life; He was willing to give up living so He could give us the blessing of "life". And the death involved was dying on the cross - the most horrific death anyone can have during those times.

Now, I hope you won't miss the truth here. Paul is saying in the text that as believers we could have a more meaningful journey, if we stop living for ourselves and start living for others. How would you do that? The key is sacrifice. We must be more intentional in making sacrifices for others. The fact is: through the expressions of sacrifices, we are able to demonstrate our love for others. The Bible says that Christ's love for us is clearly demonstrated through His sacrifice:

Therefore, the antidote for selfishness is love, and love is best shown through sacrifice.

III   SECURE GOD'S PROMOTION:

Paul concludes our text with the outcome of living unselfishly. God exalted Jesus to the highest position where He would be the object of everyone's praise and worship.

Therefore, in God's economy the clear path to life's promotion is through selflessness. Clearly, those who would put themselves ahead of others would miss out on God's best blessings. Jesus himself passes the same idea to his disciples. Remember again the incident we mentioned earlier when the disciples argued about who should be first among them because the mother of James and John requested the exalted positions on the throne when Christ sets up His kingdom. Notice again how He responded:

Jesus did not rebuke them for aspiring greatness; He rebuked them for the way they think they can get there. Jesus showed them that if they want that position. They must be willing to be like Him, giving His life as a ransom for others (v.28). Beloved, God is willing to grant greatness. But the way is through unselfishness.

Selfishness is the way of the world, and it will not bring us the kind of happiness we want in this life. Let's us follow the example of Jesus Christ in living a selfless life. Remember, God will never withhold His blessings from you if you can be a channel of His blessings to others. We're all blessed to be a blessing.