Humbled or Exalted

Humbled or Exalted

There’s an expression that says, “Your attitude determines your altitude.” This works well with the parable Jesus tells in this passage. 

It’s easy to look at your accolades and accomplishments and think of yourself in a haughty manner. However, in God’s economy, that is a recipe that will get you humbled by God. You do not want that. 

The converse attitude of humility is put on full display by the tax collector in the parable. He did not consider himself worthy to “look up to heaven.” That’s the contrite heart God seeks from us. The Psalmist tells us that God will not despise a contrite heart. 

Therefore, let a humble attitude be the guide to your God ordained altitude. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Luke 18:9-14

9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 

10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Today’s Readings:

Luke 18:1-17; Proverbs 13:7-8