April 27 2026

Monday April 27

Choosing To Stay For the Sake of Others

Philippians 1:22-26

Today we are talking about choosing to stay for the sake of others, and we are focusing on Philippians 1:24, where Paul writes, “Nevertheless, to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.” Now Paul has just said in verse 23 that being with Christ is far better. But now he shifts his focus from his desire to his responsibility. He begins this verse by saying, “Nevertheless.” In other words, even though I long to be with Christ, to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.

This is one of the clearest pictures of selfless living in the New Testament. Paul is saying, “Oh goodness, it is far better for me to go to heaven, but it is better for you if I stay.” He chooses to stay for their sake. This reflects what we also learn in Philippians 2:3–4: “Let each of you look out not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

It also reflects the example of our Lord Jesus Christ that we read in Philippians 2:5–8, who humbled Himself for us: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He, Jesus Christ, humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

Jesus also gave us an example in Mark 10:44–45. Jesus said to His disciples, “Whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom.” The Apostle Paul is living that out. Paul is willing to delay his own joy so that others can grow. I am telling you, my friend, this is real love.

This also reminds us of 1 Corinthians 15:58, where he wrote in that great resurrection chapter, “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” Paul saw ministry not as a burden but as a privilege in serving the Lord Jesus Christ. Even though he faced pressure, imprisonments, and hardships, he still wanted to stay because he knew there was still work that needed to be done.

Paul, as we think about his life, gives us a glimpse of the hardships he faced. Think about what he went through, and yet he still says he wants to stay. In 2 Corinthians 11:22–28, he writes: “Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool.) I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. A night and a day I have been in the deep. In journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren, in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.”

Now listen, my friend, we think we have it tough. Did you just hear what Paul said he has already gone through in his ministry? And yet he says, “I choose to stay because it is more needful for me to be with you, even though I would much rather be with Christ.” You can see why he would rather be with Christ in heaven. But he says, “It is needful for me to stay for you.” Oh, for the sake of others—serving others despite the hardships that we face even now in our lives.

So, let us bring this home today. Your life matters to others. There are people who need your encouragement, your example, and your prayers. Staying is sometimes harder than leaving, but God calls us to stay and serve. True maturity puts others first. It does not ask, “What do I want?” but, “What do others need, and what can I do to encourage them?”

Paul chose duty over desire. May God help us to do the same today.

God bless and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!

P.S. I am having difficulties with posting the monthly Bible reading calendars on my website. Please email me for the month of May's calendar and indicate which plan you need. My email is: pastormike@pmiministries.org