PostScript: In whose interest?

 ‘Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.’ (Philippians 2.4)

Introduction

Paul challenges us all to act in the interest of others rather than of ourselves. To what degree is our life built around the principle of mutual selfishness rather than that of selflessness? Could such a principle operate in our public life? As new coronavirus restrictions are applied, do we respond selflessly? And how do we respond to the selfishness of others?

Context & reflection

During his briefing last Monday, the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, said ‘You cannot in an epidemic just take your own risk. Unfortunately, you’re taking a risk on behalf of everybody else.’ How does this statement relate to Paul’s challenge in Philippians 2.4 to look after other people’s interests?

I was a civil servant for much of my working life; so I find myself reflecting on how our public life might operate on the principle of looking after the interests of other people. Many of the politicians whom I served really did care about the interest of others; but some seemed to be looking after their own interests first. Perhaps I am jaundiced, but it seems to me that today more are looking after their own interests. I also reflect that it is much easier to criticise the selfishness of others than to notice our own selfishness. I am reminded of Jesus’ story about the log in our own eyes (Matthew 7.3-5).

How do you react to the fact that the Prime Minister read today’s passage from Philippians 2 at the Battle of Britain service in Westminster Abbey this week? It has certainly caused come comment on social media which I follow.

Since the wearing of masks is mainly to protect others from us (rather than us from them), is it selfish when those who are not exempt fail to comply with the rules? Do we always queue politely? Have we always made an effort to thank those such as shop and utility workers or teachers and support staff (as well as the more obvious NHS and care workers) who stayed at work during the pandemic? Are we among those who seem to become more selfish when they get behind the steering wheel of a car? Is each of us more concerned about how we look to others rather than whether we are actually looking after the interest of other people?

I did not get to see it – and whether it will return to the stage now must be doubtful – but the musical ‘Come from Away’ tells the story of how nearly 7,000 passengers and crew from 53 flights were looked after by the people of Gander and district – relatively small communities in remote Newfoundland – when they were diverted there on 9/11. Is this a useful example of selflessness and humble service?

Like many others I can vouch for the generosity of people in the developing world who are, by our standards, very poor. But it seems right to them to be generous to guests, even guests very much richer than they are themselves. Just as the old Soviet Union was collapsing, I went to Russia and bought a copy of the 1991 edition of the Insight Guide book. In it was a preface written by the famous Russian writer, Yevgeny Yevtushenko. He wrote:

‘My mother loves guests and no matter how late they drop by, she always manages to make a feast out of nothing. Foreigners are sometimes baffled how it is that the Soviet food shops are absolutely empty but whenever they visit someone's home, the table is always stacked with food. In the West the opposite is sometimes true: the shops are bursting with food but on many tables there is hardly anything when you visit them.’

Prayer

A theme prayer:

God who came to earth as a humble servant
and who challenges us to empty ourselves of all pride and selfishness,
give us courage both to confess Jesus Christ as Lord
and to live out our calling in equally humble service.
Amen.

In your intercessions pray not just for those who have contracted Covid-19 but also for those whose lives have been disrupted by restrictions. And do not forget those in parts of the world which lack basic health infrastructure.

Questions

• How might we each ‘look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.’
• Could the same principle be applied to our public life?
• Has Covid-19 made you personally behave more or less selfishly?

All-age activity

Play a game – any game will do, noughts and crosses would work – but arrange that at least one player is trying unselfishly NOT to win. Is it possible to be competitive and unselfish at the same time?

Young people

Play a game, as described above. Discuss the outcome and ask yourselves: is some level of selfishness a necessary part of competitive games and sports? How does selfishness affect your lives, at school or college or work?

Dudley Coates is a Local Preacher in the Yeovil and Blackmore Vale Methodist Circuit and a former Vice President of the Methodist Conference.

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