Our Own and Others' Things
S. Martin. Philippians 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. This is but a practical application of sentiments and dispositions already enforced. The vain-glorious spirit is fussily and uselessly concerned with the affairs of others; but love, the faculty of soul sight, looks at others' endowments and virtues and appreciates them: at others' privileges and rights, and defends them; at others' blessings, and rejoices in the possession of them; at others' sorrows, and weeps over them; at others' wants, and would supply them. And further, what Paul would have the Philippians do Christ Jesus had done (ver. 5, etc.). The life of Jesus is a perfect exposition of the text. I. WHAT DO THESE WORDS PROHIBIT? 1. A supreme and exclusive regard to our own things. It forbids — (1) The closing of the eye to the things of others. (2) The shutting of the heart. (3) The closing of the hand. 2. Why — (1) Because it is not Godlike. Religion is Godlikeness. (2) Because it transgresses the laws which demand love. (3) Because it does not become the gospel of Christ. If God in our salvation has looked on our things so as to provide for our complete uplifting, sheer consistency demands compliance with the text. (4) Because it is injurious to self and to Christ's cause. II. WHAT DO THESE WORDS REQUIRE 1. Not the neglect of our own things — "also." Nor does it sanction the conduct of the busybody in other men's matters. But — 2. Sympathy with others in whatever state they may be seen by us. We are to "weep with those who weep, and rejoice with those who rejoice." Competitors in any calling find the latter very difficult. 3. Heart readiness to defend and serve others according to our opportunity and ability. 4. The avoidance of all that will damage the things of others. In a word, look not as the Priest and Levite looked, but as she good Samaritan looked — so as to enlarge the heart and open the hands. III. TO WHAT EXTENT ARE THE PROHIBITION AND REQUIREMENT OBLIGATORY. 1. They are addressed to "every" Christian man. Other men cannot translate them into life. We do not wonder that men say, "Your morality is too high for us." Of course it is for those who are in the horrible pit, but not for those who are walking on the high table land with Jehovah. "Every man"(1) however poor. You cannot give money, but you can give sympathy and prayer. (2) However rich. Some men give money to be exempt from personal attention to others. They think they are not required to work, only to give. (3) Masters are to look with careful and sympathetic eyes on their servants' things, and servants on their masters'. (4) Tradesmen on the things of their rivals. (5) Patriots on the things of other lands. 2. "On the things."(1) Although in competition with one's own. (2) Although not quite to one's taste. (3) Although not always convenient. (4) Including the health, wealth, honour, peace, comfort, well-being and well-doing of others. (5) The others may be strangers, but they are men for whom Christ died; rivals, but they are neighbours whom I am required to love; employers or workpeople, but they may be fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God; or they may be enemies, but even them we are to love.Conclusion: 1. The text is one of the many illustrations of the practical character of New Testament teaching. Christ's doctrines are the inspiration of its ethics. Nearly every point of Christian theology is raised in the subsequent paragraph to enforce the text. Religion is a sham if it be not practical. 2. The text exhibits a high standard of conduct, but it leads us in a path in which we may hear the Good Shepherd's voice. He speaks these words through His apostle; elsewhere He spoke them through His life. Look at him providing for His mother amidst the agonies of the cross. 3. The text shows that a selfish man cannot be a Christian. 4. Such precepts as these exalt the dispensation to which we belong. What must Christ's religion be if this be a precept in harmony with its doctrines, facts, ordinances, and spirit? (S. Martin.) Parallel Verses KJV: Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. WEB: each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.