Pondering Proverbs

Proverbs  22:9 The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.

Following on from Saturday’s posting the writer of Proverbs takes the notion of sharing with the poor from the stance of a duty to that of a blessing. What is interesting is that in the Hebrew Bible the word translated Blessed also means to kneel. So we could interpret  blessing in the context of sharing with the poor means we fully embrace the sense of living a life of humility.

C S Lewis on speaking of humility said, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.” He also stressed that, “A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.”

A young preacher once approached Dr. F. B. Meyer and asked how he could one day become as influential and well-known as Dr. Meyer. Dr. Meyer responded, “Don’t waste your time waiting and longing for large opportunities which may never come. But faithfully handle the little things that are always claiming your attention.”

How generous are we and what influences us to share with others?

Appetite says, “Be sensuous, enjoy yourself.”

Education says, “Be resourceful, expand yourself.”

Materialism says, “Be satisfied, please yourself.”

Psychology says, “Be confident, fulfil yourself.”

Pride says, “Be superior, promote yourself.”

Humanism says, “Be capable believe in yourself.”

God says, “Be wise, humble yourself.”

Jesus spoke of humility in these terms, “For everyone who tries to honour himself shall be humbled; and he who humbles himself shall be honoured.”

Merciful God,

give us the same attitude as Jesus,

who emptied himself

and was obedient to you

all the way to his death on the cross.

Make us eager to put others before ourselves,

and their needs before our own.

We ask this through your Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.