Special Interest Group

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

Our culture is preoccupied with special interests. On a national level, each political party warns its constituents about the special interests of the other parties. The religious and non-religious have their own special interests as well. Special interests groups come in all shapes and sizes—all pushing for public acceptance of their particular agendas.  

Paul has a word of caution for Christ followers concerning their own special interests. He said be careful to “not merely look out for your own personal interests.” That’s right, you are not to be narrowly preoccupied with your activities. Rather, we are to have serious and caring concern for the interest of others. The best way I know to do that is to take our eyes off ourselves and the disproportionate concern we have for our own self-esteem. 

What did Paul mean by the word “interests?” It’s a non-specific word that has a variety of implications: goals, responsibilities, needs, tasks, gifts, character, ministries—all of which, Paul said, we are to give equal consideration to others.  

That is a high and lofty goal, but one that every Christ follower should pursue. The closer we get to the goal, the less we will be plagued by unscriptural competitiveness and the pride of our personal interest.

Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:4