Monday, November 5 Devotion

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5 — PHILIPPIANS 2:5-8 We Give Like He Gave “Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage. Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even to death on a cross.” – Philippians 2:5-8 (HCSB) Paul’s description of Jesus’ sacrifice in Philippians occurred in a context in which Paul was encouraging unity among a fractured congregation, torn apart due to strife between two leaders. As he sought to lovingly restore unity, Paul continually pointed the Philippians to the example of Christ’s selflessness. In this passage, as Paul described what Jesus gave up to be faithful to what God the Father sent him to do, there is significant insight into what it means to be generous biblically. So often, when we think of giving generously, our thoughts can turn immediately to dollars allotted, percentages given, and the like. What Paul demonstrated to the Philippians, however, was something much grander. When Jesus was faced with sacrificing Himself for us, He emptied Himself of everything. He gave up the majestic worship to which He is rightfully due. He gave up the perfection of Heaven and the absence of pain or want. He gave up divine splendor to be shunned, rejected, and killed. He did all of this without any hint of asking, “Do I have to?” or, “Haven’t I already given enough?” When Paul urged the Philippians to have the same attitude, he was directing them to utter selflessness in favor of being relentlessly focused on what God would have them do, who God would have them serve, and how they could lovingly show deference to others. This is the same model God desires for us to have. Instead of being consumed with percentages and how much we’ve already given, God desires to be at the center of our affections. He wants us to give all of ourselves: finances, relationships, gifts, talents, passions, influence, personal testimony, family—everything about us. The benefit to us is that we will experience the joy of God in ways that are not possible if we are not completely yielded to Him. What would it look like if our main priority was to do whatever was necessary to worship God and bring Him glory? Such was the attitude of Christ.

How does this passage impact your life today?

1. What would giving look like if we really had that same attitude that Christ demonstrated, as Paul described in Philippians 2?

2. What do you hold onto “to be used for [your own] advantage” that prevents you from being open-handed toward God?

3. How does it change your perception of giving to God when you realize that Christ is our comparison, not one another? Why is it important that giving be understood in light of God’s work in the world?

PRAYER TIME Pray that God would give you a vision for what He wants to do with and through you in your community. Pray for renewed courage and passion to follow Him with an open-handed boldness like Christ did.