A Colossal Countercultural Challenge

Scripture — Philippians 2:3-4 (NRSV)

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.

Devotion

Near the end of the first chapter of Philippians, the Apostle Paul urges us to live “in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (1:27). In every situation, in all we do and say, we should reflect the good news of God’s love and grace in Christ.

At the beginning of the second chapter, Paul begins to spell out in detail what this means for the Christian community in Philippi. He calls them to be united in love and thoughtfulness. Then he gets even more specific, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others” (2:3-4).

It seems that the Philippian church, though thriving for the most part, was struggling at some points with disunity (see 4:2-3). When members of the church disagreed about some matter of common life, they were digging in, advocating for their position, and failing to appreciate the concerns of those with whom they disagreed. Apparently, some may have been motivated by “selfish ambition or conceit” (2:3), or as the CEB puts it, “selfish purposes.” So Paul exhorts them to “Do nothing” based on their selfish motivations. Rather, he writes, “in humility regard others as better than yourselves” (2:3).

Moreover, when it comes to the particular issues that were dividing the Philippian church, Paul instructs the believers to “look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others” (2:4). The CEB offers this translation, “Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others.”

I expect that Paul’s counsel in this passage was challenging for the Philippians. Basic, sinful human nature leads us to care most about ourselves, our interests, and our reputations. We are not naturally inclined to regard others as better than ourselves or to care more about the interests of others than our own interests. Furthermore, the Roman culture of Philippi encouraged self-interest and individual glory. Paul was advocating a profoundly countercultural way of being.

If the exhortations of Philippians 2:3-4 were countercultural in Paul’s day, it seems to be that they are even more profoundly countercultural for us. As I look out upon our cultural and political landscape, I rarely see anyone regarding others as better than themselves or caring more about the concerns of others than their own personal concerns. In the United States, we are increasingly divided into our preferred “tribes.” We are in relationship with those with whom we agree and we “cancel” those whose interests we do not share.

I expect you know that this happens, not only “out there” in the wider culture, but also “in here,” in work teams, families, neighborhoods, and churches. Thus, for us, Philippians 2:3-4 presents what I’m calling “a colossal countercultural challenge.” We are being asked to live in a way that is contrary, not only to our nature, but also to the dominant ways of the world in which we live. This is a tall order!

I might be inclined to say that it is a “too tall” order. It can seem almost impossible to choose in humility to regard others as better than ourselves. And we are so wired to care most of all about our own interests that prioritizing the interests of others can feel completely out of reach. But Philippians 2 shows us a way forward. It reveals how we might actually live in the countercultural way of Christ.

I’ll write about this way forward in tomorrow’s devotion. For now, you may wish to consider the following questions.

Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the High Calling archive, hosted by the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: But I Don’t Trust My Coworkers.