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. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
College basketball coaching legend John Wooden was really intentional about not only winning basketball games but helping to build character in his players. He was famous for his “pyramid of success,” consisting of different elements like “competitive greatness” and “initiative.” But Wooden’s pyramid wasn’t really about basketball. It was about helping his players gain the tools they needed to be better people. He was quoted as saying, “Talent is God given, be humble; fame is man-given, be thankful; conceit is self-given, be careful.”
Be humble…be thankful…be careful – sounds like pretty solid advice when it comes to our character. It also sounds a lot like Jesus – the example he set for us and our verses for today. Today’s verses outline some of the tools we need to be better people. Humility, putting others first, encouraging and serving others, and obedience to God sounds like a good place to start. Ask God to help mold your heart and mind today so that you have the same mindset as Jesus Christ.
