Living in Increase (Part 2) - Increase in LoveSample

Be Fond of Others

We’re back in Philippians 2 today! The English Standard Version (ESV) of this verse uses the word “significant” when describing how we should view others. Earlier in this study, we mentioned that one way we can show agapaō (God’s love) to others was by being fond of them.

The dictionary defines “fond” as “having an affection or liking for.” In other words, when you’re fond of someone or something, they matter to you. They have value. If I hold fondly to a memory or possession, it means it has too great a significance to me to let it go. In the same way, we can be fond of others by thinking of them as too significant to ignore.

When we choose to value people, we choose to add value to people. Being fond of others and seeing them as significant means that we see something positive in every person we meet and tell them the good we see inside them. If we can’t find anything positive in them, we prayerfully speak to their potential. World-renowned leadership expert and devout Christian Dr. John C. Maxwell has a book titled 25 Ways to Win with People: How to Make Others Feel like a Million Bucks. When we value people, we make them feel like a million bucks!

We can love others today by being fond of them. We can see people as significant. Every person we connect with today is a spirit who has a soul and is in a body. Every person we meet today is a person God loves (John 3:16). When we see them the way God sees them, we can add value to them by encouraging them and letting them know that their lives matter.

Emily N. Green

Action Step: Think of someone you’ve had a hard time connecting with. This could be a friend, family member, or co-worker. Text or call them today and let them know that you value them.