Humility as a Virtue
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Humilty leads to exaltation
The way it works in the Kingdom is that the one who serves the one who humbles him or herself is exalted. It`s the way that service works.

Jesus begins his community, and there has never been a leader like Him before. Never. Jesus says:

  • The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who exercise authority over them call themselves "benefactors." They live in towns like Sepphoris, and I know because I helped build some of their houses. I know how it works. I`ve been there.

    Jesus understands. He grew up in the real world. He has a different dream. His dream has captivated the human race for 2000 years.

  • You are not to be like that. Instead the greatest among you should be like the youngest. And the one who rules the one who has the most power and authority should be like the one who serves. For who is regarded as greater? The one who sits at the table, or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? That`s the way things work in our world. But I am among you as One who serves. ''Luke 22:26-27''



    By: John Ortberg
    Category: Humility as a Virtue
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    Humility
    According to my understanding of this particular instance ''from Luke 18:10-14'', the Pharisee thinks he`s better than the "other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector" - i.e., those that he considers to be worthless in the eyes of God. Thus he is exalting himself, and will, sooner or later, wish that he hadn`t. As it says in Proverbs 16:18-19, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud." Furthermore, in verse 5 of the same book, it says, "Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished." So he`s setting himself up for a whole lot of trouble, both in this world and the next. Not only that, but as one who is ''or at least should be'' familiar with Mosaic Law, he should know better than to say such things. Therefore, while he may be following the Letter of the Law, he sure isn`t following the Spirit, if you know what I mean. On the other hand, the tax collector has abased himself and feels that he is not worthy of God`s love and forgiveness. Thus, he is humbling himself, and will therefore be recognized and forgiven by God, and welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven. As Jesus makes perfectly clear, "all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted." So guess whose side He`s on in this story?



    By: Philologos
    Category: Humility as a Virtue
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    "Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." ( Matthew 18:4)

    "... Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all." ( Mark 10:43-44)

    "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, 'Give this person your place,' and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." ( Luke 14:8-11)

    "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other, for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted." ( Luke 18:10-14)

    "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it." ( Luke 9:23-24)

    "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." ( Matthew 5:5)

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