The Mindset of Christ ∙∙

The Mindset of Christ ∙∙

Remember him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim to your old eyes, and rain clouds continually darken your sky. – Ecclesiastes 12:2

Philippians 2:3-5

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the mindset of Christ Jesus.

Morrie Boogaart: A Life of Selfless Dedication

Morrie Boogaart was 93 years old when he passed away from cancer on February 9, 2018. However, his legacy of compassion and selflessness continues to inspire many. At age 75, Morrie made an important decision about how he wanted to spend the rest of his life. Throughout his years, he had always dedicated himself to helping others without expecting anything in return. Now, he began a mission that would define his final years: knitting hats for the homeless.

The “Hat Man” and His Mission

Morrie’s extraordinary journey started with a simple act of kindness. He began knitting hats for those in need, and over time, his efforts gained international recognition. Although he stopped counting after making 8,000 hats, his dedication earned him the affectionate nickname “Hat Man.” People from all around the world, touched by his generosity, started sending him yarn to support his cause.

Despite being diagnosed with cancer in 2015, Morrie refused to let his illness or physical limitations define his life. Instead, he focused outward, putting others’ needs before his own. Knitting became his life’s purpose. From the moment he woke up until he fell asleep, Morrie worked tirelessly, stitch by stitch, to create hats for the less fortunate. Even in hospice care, confined to his bed, he continued his mission. As his health declined, his pace slowed, but his determination remained strong. At the time of his passing, he was still making one hat every two days, a testament to his lasting commitment.

Finding Purpose in Service

For Morrie, knitting was more than just a pastime; it was a source of purpose and fulfillment. Reflecting on his work, he once said, “Why do I do it? It just makes me feel good. I know I have to be here, but I don’t do it very fast.” He also expressed how vital this mission was to him, saying, “If you take this [knitting hats] away from me, my life is over. Please don’t take it away.”

But Morrie’s motivation went deeper than personal satisfaction. A well-worn Bible sat on his nightstand, reflecting his faith and devotion. As a child of the King, Morrie was inspired by the Lord Jesus Christ’s selfless example. His work was an expression of the love and compassion modeled by his Savior. Morrie declared with conviction, “I’m going to do this until I go home to the Lord.”

A Crown of Glory

Morrie’s daughter, Karen Lauters, shared a heartfelt tribute upon his passing: “It is difficult for us to let him go, but he was so ready to rest in the arms of his Lord, and we rejoice that he has traded his knitted hats for a crown of glory and walks with Jesus.” Morrie’s life serves as a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have when they dedicate themselves to serving others.

Choosing How to Spend Our Time

In our youth, it seems as though we have all the time in the world. However, as we mature, our perspective shifts dramatically, prompting us to ponder a more pressing question: how much time do we truly have left, and how should we spend it? Many individuals create bucket lists filled with personal aspirations and strive to realize their dreams before life’s inevitable conclusion. Yet, Morrie’s selfless example invites us to adopt a different mindset. Rather than solely focusing on our own desires, how can we use our time to help others and leave a lasting legacy of love and kindness?

The apostle Paul instructs us in Philippians 2:3-4: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

REFLECT & PRAY

Charles Stanley cautions, “God will never direct us to be prideful, arrogant, and unforgiving, immoral, slothful, or full of fear. We step into these things because we are insensitive to the leadership of the Holy Spirit within us.”

Father, help me to abandon selfish ambition and empty conceit and have the same mindset as the Lord Jesus Christ.

INSIGHT

A Mindset in Opposition to Christ

The Apostle Paul emphasizes the mindset of those who resist the humility and selflessness exemplified by Jesus Christ. He highlights the importance of adopting a Christ-like attitude focused on selflessness, compassion, and love. These qualities are essential for living according to Christ’s teachings. By prioritizing the needs of others and practicing humility, followers of Christ reflect His heart and respond to His call to serve those around them.

Philippians 2:3-4: “Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests but about the interests of others as well.”

A Command to Avoid Selfishness and Conceit

The first half of Philippians 2:3 in Greek is striking in its simplicity and directness. It contains no verb and can be literally translated as “nothing according to selfish ambition nor according to empty conceit.” This is not a suggestion but a command. It has the sense of “Do nothing,” “Never act,” or “Don’t do anything” motivated by selfish ambition or vanity. Paul’s words leave no room for ambiguity.

The Greek term for “selfish ambition” is eritheia, which conveys a sense of “self-seeking pursuit or selfishness.” It describes someone “driven by personal success without regard for moral boundaries.” As Fee notes, “‘Selfish ambition’ stands at the heart of human fallenness, where self-interest and self-aggrandizement at the expense of others primarily dictate values and behavior.”

The term for “empty conceit” is kenodoxia, derived from kenos, meaning “empty,” and doxia, meaning “glory.” The implication is straightforward and striking. It can be translated as “empty glory,” “self-conceit,” “vain pride,” “empty pride,” “desire for praise,” or “groundless boasting.” In practical terms, kenodoxia manifests as “arrogance,” “boastfulness,” or “an inflated sense of self-importance.”

Pride and Arrogance in the World

Throughout history, pride and arrogance have been celebrated in the world’s system. Conventional wisdom often suggests that success requires a certain level of conceit. Examples abound:

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau once remarked, “I rejoice in myself. My consolations lie in my self-esteem. . . If there were a single enlightened government in Europe, it would have erected statues to me.”
• Abbie Hoffman declared unapologetically, “We were young, we were foolish, we were arrogant, but we were right.”
• Oscar Wilde, when asked at customs if he had anything to declare, famously replied, “Only my genius.”
• Russell Crowe asserted, “People accuse me of being arrogant all the time. I’m not arrogant, I’m focused.”
• Mohammed Ali declared, “I am the greatest. I said that even before I knew I was.”
• Julius Caesar announced, “Veni, Vidi, Vici,” that is, “I came, I saw, I conquered.”
• Friedrich Nietzsche proclaimed, “The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.”

While self-confidence and vision are valuable, pride and arrogance, particularly within the body of Christ, are odious. They stand in stark contrast to the humility and selflessness that Christ calls His followers to embody.

The Mindset of Christ

Paul continues his exhortation in Philippians, urging children of the King to adopt the mindset of Christ, Philippians 2:3-5: “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”

The mindset of Christ is centered on humility, selflessness, compassion, and love. It puts the well-being and needs of others before one’s own. This mindset is marked by forgiveness, grace, and a strong desire to serve others, providing them with abundant life and eternal salvation. It embraces sacrificial love, seeks reconciliation, and supports justice and righteousness. At its core, the mindset of Christ is grounded in unwavering faith, trust, and obedience to the Father’s will. It demonstrates a commitment to praying for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

True Greatness Through Service

The mindset of Christ, which emphasizes serving others rather than self-promotion, is clearly seen in Matthew 20:26: “Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant.”

True greatness is rooted in humility and service, not in pride or self-conceit. The mindset of Christ encourages the children of the King to reject the world’s values of selfish ambition and empty pride, and instead embrace a life of selfless love and service to others.

Morrie Boogaart’s life exemplifies the power of selflessness and faith. His unwavering commitment to helping others, even in the face of illness and physical limitations, reminds us that true purpose is found not in what we achieve for ourselves, but in what we give to others.

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© Dr. H 2026