Proverbs 16:19 says, “Better it is to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.” This verse follows: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall, ” Proverbs 16:18.
Of course, no one wants to be lowly or poor, and I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want to be well-off or even rich.
The question is: can one be humble whether they are poor or rich and receive God’s favor?
These verses convey a striking difference between a life of pride and one of humility.
Most people cite the warning and ill-fated path of pride in verse 18 without mentioning the lowly life of humility. To choose humility is to fear God and to live a life honoring Him for all blessings. To choose a life of pride is to honor oneself, which disavows God and leads to a life of destruction.
Both verses show us that we can choose one path or the other: pride or humility.
Pride is among the many things that God hates; it is an offense and sin.
We’ve all heard people boast about their possessions, position, power, and various achievements. Some call this boasting the bootstrap mentality, the me, myself, and I syndrome.
You ask a pride-filled person how they achieved success; they will reply, “I did it by myself.”
Such conceit, arrogance, and pride suggest independence from God, the source of life, health, strength, knowledge, and all achievements.
Only with God can one be successful, rich, and humble.
The Bible states that Job was the richest man in the East, but he was humble. The Scripture says that Job “feared God and eschewed evil” (Job 1:1). By eschewing evil, Job avoided or turned away from evil and sin.
God’s Word says it is better to depend on God and be poor and humble than to dismiss God and be rich with a haughty spirit. The Word cautions us not to be conceited and wise in our own eyes, but to submit ourselves and reverence God.
Another Proverb about pride and humility is: “Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.”
The sin of pride can fill one’s heart and leave no room for the reverence and praise of God.
It is difficult for a conceited individual to apologize for offenses against others and admit they are wrong, even to God.
We don’t want to separate ourselves from family, friends, and God because of pride or a haughty spirit.
Let’s not forget Satan was cast out of Heaven because of pride. Isaiah 14:12 declares, “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations.”
A life guided by humility is better than a life full of pride.
The following is a thought-provoking poem about humility entitled The Shepherd Boy Sings in the Valley of Humiliation.
The Shepherd Boy Sings in the Valley of Humiliation
He that is down needs fear no fall,
He that is low, no pride;
He that is humble ever shall
Have God to be his guide.
I am content with what I have,
Little be it or much
And, Lord, contentment still I crave,
Because Thou savest much. Author – Peter Burn
I hope that you are happy and well.