March 16

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. - Philippians 2:4.

THAT is, we are not to look upon our own things exclusively or only, “but every man also”-this is the interpretation-“ on the things of others.” Self-preservation has been called the first law of nature, and it is so; and if man were only a solitary creature it would be the only law of his nature. But now man is variously associated and related, and therefore he is a social being, for “no man liveth unto himself;” and only a Cain will question this, and ask, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

Observe, therefore, what the admonition requires: that we look also upon the things of others-not with curious inquisitiveness, needlessly prying into other people’s history, condition, and circumstances, in order to gratify vanity or furnish materials for the tongue. “Let none of you suffer as a thief or as an evil-doer, or as a busy-body in other men’s matters.”

Again, we are not to look upon the things of others enviously. “Be not thou afraid,” says David, “when one is made rich, or when the glory of his house is increased:” as if he should say, The distinctions and the acquisitions and the cares which make others so uneasy around you are not worthy of you. Oh, what evil is there in this disposition, for one person to be uneasy because another is happy; and yet this principle is so powerful, so subtle in its various workings, that Solomon says, “Who can stand before envy?”

Thirdly, We are not to look upon the things of others unconcernedly, but with sympathy, and to help them. Hence we are commanded to “rejoice with them that do rejoice, and to weep with them that weep.” Thus it was with Job. “Did not,” he says, “I weep for him that was in trouble; was not my soul grieved for the poor?” And this is the meaning of the Apostle here; for when he says, “Look on the things of others,” he cannot mean with such a look as the priest and the Levite gave to the poor, wounded, bloody traveller, and who went by on the other side; but he means such a look as that the eye shall affect the heart, such a look as shall awaken commiseration and produce corresponding emotions and exertions.