“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3-4).
Pride is an enemy of healthy relationships. C. S. Lewis commented, “If you want to find out how proud you are the easiest way is to ask yourself, ‘How much do I dislike it when other people snub me, or refuse to take any notice of me?’ ” Most of us have had, at sometime or other, a question that arises when someone else receives special recognition—“What about me?” It is human nature to prefer ourselves above others, yet this passage tells us to put others first.
“Selfish ambition” isn’t just our ambition and desire to do well what we are doing. Lawrence Richards, in his book on word studies, defines the Greek word as “a contentious struggle for personal profit or power, with no redeeming hint of service to others.” It is a word that embodies the spirit of selfishness. It is a philosophy that says, “It’s all about me.”
Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, includes this word in his list of works of the flesh. As Christians, we are to be different. We’re to look after the interests of others. We’re to put others first. Since selfish ambition is identified as a work of the flesh there must be another source for the selflessness this Scripture asks of us.
It is refreshing to find people who excel at what they do, not because it will bring them honor, but because it will bless others. That’s what Jesus did for us and, with His help, that’s what we will be able to do for others.
