Who’s Number One?
Bible Readings
Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.
Memory Verse
If you put yourself above others, you will be put down. But if you humble yourself, you will be honored. (CEV)
What would you do? It’s pizza day, and you’re one of the last three people in line to get your pizza. There are six slices left. Would you pick the two biggest pieces for yourself and leave the smallest for those behind you? You could show humility by putting others ahead of yourself and choosing the smaller pieces. Humility means not thinking too highly of yourself and considering others over yourself.
Jesus lived with humility and asked us to do the same. In Luke 14:7-11, Jesus was unhappy because he saw that guests at a wedding were taking the best seats for themselves. Their pride made them believe they should have the best seats because they were better. Jesus says in verse 11, “If you put yourself above others, you will be put down. But if you humble yourself, you will be honored.”
What does it mean to live with humility? It means we realize that we’re not better than others. It means we think of God’s way instead of our own way. When you brag, even silently, to yourself, you are prideful. True humility comes from recognizing that all that you have and all that you are are gifts from God. If you’re good at math, God gifted you that. He gave you those athletic abilities. Your talent on the piano comes from God. Your practice and effort can refine these gifts, but God is the source of these talents. Humility looks like taking the last spot in line or keeping your A+ grades to yourself. It sounds like congratulating your opponent on a good game when you lost or telling someone you admire their art. Remember that your actual value comes from being a child of God!
Prayer
Dear God, if I’m honest, sometimes I struggle with thinking that I am better than others. I’m thankful for your reminder that all I have and am comes from you. Help me to live with humility and think of others first. Amen.Related Resources
Lisa VanderKuip
Lisa VanderKuip is a Learning Resource Teacher in Ontario, Canada. Each day, she enjoys sharing her love of reading with her students. One of her greatest joys is seeing kids who are struggling unlock the reading code. In her spare time, Lisa loves to golf with her husband and two grown children.