God's Glory Church

“The reward of obedience and the fear of the Lord is wealth, and glory, and life.” — Proverbs 22:4

Like many teachers, Kerry devotes countless hours to her career, often late into the evening checking assignments and talking with students and their parents. To support these efforts, she relies on the camaraderie and practical help of colleagues. A recent study of educators found that the benefits of collaboration increase when those we work with demonstrate humility. If colleagues are willing to admit their weaknesses, others feel safe sharing their knowledge with each other and effectively helping everyone in the group.

The Bible speaks of the importance of humility, and not just to improve cooperation. The consequence of the “fear of the Lord”, that is, the correct understanding of who we are in comparison with the beauty, power and majesty of God, is “wealth, and glory, and life” (Prov. 22:4). Humility leads to community life, which is fruitful in God’s house-building, because we seek to benefit our neighbors, who also bear God’s image.

We show fear of the Lord not in order to get “riches, and glory, and life” for ourselves, because then it would not be a manifestation of true humility. Instead, we follow Jesus, who “humbled Himself, taking the form of a servant” (Phil. 2:7), so that we can become part of His body, which humbly cooperates for the fulfillment of God’s work, His glorification and spreading the message of life in the world.

What does humility mean to you? Have you witnessed how someone’s humility benefited others?

Lord Jesus, fill my heart with humility.

Author: Kirsten Holmberg