The Bench Near the Door
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Philippians 2:3-4 KJV
This is an original fictional illustration, not a historical report or an added Bible event.
The class had one comfortable bench, and Jack always hurried to it. One afternoon he noticed a new student standing alone while the others crowded beside him.
Jack could have kept his place and ignored the empty space across the room. Instead, he moved to a chair and invited the new student to sit with the group. Nobody announced what he had done. The conversation simply had room for one more person.
Philippians 2 teaches us to consider others. Humility does not mean pretending we have no needs. It means our needs are not the only ones that count. Look beyond the place you want and notice the person who needs welcome.
Keep the passage in context
Paul calls believers to humility and concern for others as he teaches unity in the church. The following verses direct attention to Christ's humility. This instruction is not a command to regard another person's sin as right.
Read further: Philippians 2 in the King James Bible.