Discipleship Week 12: Imitate those who are selfless

Philippians 2:20-21

“For I have no one like him (Timothy), who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.”

As we seek to have mature Christian influences in our lives we should seek people who are selfless, not selfish. That may seem obvious, but in our world, just like in Paul’s, the majority of people “seek their own interests.” Finding selfless people, even amongst Christians, can be difficult. So often those in leadership or in positions of authority (both inside and outside the church) act with self-centered motives. Even good deeds and actions can be done with selfish intentions. An easy example of this is found in politics, where politicians so often vote and push legislation with selfish motives (staying in office), regardless of whether said legislation is good for the people they represent. But self-centered actions can be found in the church as well, when leaders serve with the motivation to get recognized, or when money is allowed to speak louder than spiritual maturity in policy decisions, or when people advocate for decisions based only on their personal preferences and tastes. The list of self-centered motives goes on and on.

This is why the example of Timothy is so refreshing. He is someone who is genuinely concerned for the welfare of the Philippians. The needs of the Philippians come above his own. And this is the kind of person we should allow to influence us, for ultimately this is the kind of person who points us back to Christ. As D.A. Carson notes about Timothy’s selflessness, “this is nothing other than a sign that Timothy follows not only Paul but Jesus. Although Christ enjoyed equality with God, he did not think of such equality as something to be exploited, but adopted the form of a servant. He became a human being, a man, and then obediently went to his odious death on the cross. Those who follow Jesus Christ inevitably learn to cast self-interest and self-comfort and self-focus to one side.” –D.A. Carson, Basics for Believers: An Exposition of Philippians

Have we learned to cast self-interest and self-comfort and self-focus to one side? First, we need to consider where we are on a scale of self-centeredness. Are we self-focused, or others-focused? Most of us are far more self-centered than we care to admit! But then, knowing where we are on that scale, we need to find Christ-centered influences who can help us become more selfless, and follow Christ’s example.

1. What are characteristics of leaders who are more self-focused than others-focused? What has been the result in your life when you have let this kind of person influence you?

2. What are characteristics of Christian leaders who are more others-focused than self-focused? What has been the result in your life when you have let this kind of person influence you?

3. If we are to move on the scale of self-centeredness to looking more to the welfare of others than ourselves, we need to follow the example of Christ and Timothy. What are some practical ways we can follow this example?