Talk Together
Family conversations with God’s Word.
Can you think of a time you wanted to do something nice for yourself but did something nice for someone else instead? It’s easy to keep your things, like your favorite candy, all to yourself instead of sharing. It’s also easy to keep your time, like playing with friends, to yourself instead of helping others. It’s hard to love and serve others as much as we love and serve ourselves!
When Paul wrote to his friends in Philippi, he reminded them of ways they could serve each other. Paul encouraged his friends to put others’ needs before their own. He told them not to be selfish or only do things to make themselves happy. Let’s look at what Paul wrote to the Philippians. Remember, the book of Philippians is a letter Paul wrote while he was in prison. Can you help me find the book of Philippians chapter 2, verses 1-11? (Older children can read all of Philippians 2.)
ESV
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:1-11)
Paul encouraged the Philippian believers to be humble and look out for the needs of others. He reminded them to follow Jesus’s example. Even though Jesus was God’s Son, He didn’t think He was more important than everyone else. Instead, He died on the cross to end the separation sin caused between us and God.
Is there someone you know who is always ready to serve and help others? Someone who is always looking out for what others need instead of themselves? Paul had a close friend named Timothy who served with him. They planned to part ways so Timothy could go visit the Philippians.
Paul and Timothy thought about others’ needs instead of their own. Even though Timothy encouraged and helped Paul while he was in prison, Paul knew the Philippians also needed encouragement; so Paul sent Timothy to go care for the Philippian believers. Let’s take a look at what Paul writes later in chapter 2.
ESV
I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the Gospel. I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me. … (Philippians 2:19-23)
Humans like comfort. We like to sleep in warm beds, fill our tummies with food, and feel safe and secure. But Paul and Timothy cared more about sharing the Gospel than their own comfort. The book of Acts says the churches grew where Paul and Timothy preached!
In the Bible, God tells us to put others’ needs before our own. This isn’t easy, but God will help us! When we choose to obey Christ’s instructions for our lives, we will experience the joy that only comes from knowing and serving Jesus. We can glorify God as we serve those around us!