Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

Philippians 2:3

This weekend we had an opportunity to fly out to Phoenix to see our daughter and three grandsons. Saturday afternoon presented several “teaching moments” relating to the verse above, but those same principles apply to each of us.

Little boys are often selfish. Each one wants to be first at times – first to order ice cream, first to be served pizza, in general, they want to be first period. How different is that from most of us adults?

Second, Paul warns of wanting to impress others. Little boys playing soccer or flag football or simply coloring a page in their superhero coloring book, want to impress. They’re looking for approval. How different is that from us?

Instead of being selfish and positioning ourselves to impress others, Paul tells us to do the opposite. We are to humble ourselves and to put other’s needs above our own. Sounds good in theory, but I wonder how often I for one, still prefer to look out for my needs instead?

Consider these words from Jesus today –

When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice:  “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table!

 “Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Luke 14:7-11