“It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.”
(Proverbs 16:19)
Scripture is full of scriptural Hebraisms called “chiasms” or “reversals”, like this verse in Matthew 20:16: “The last shall be first, and the first, last.” Another is found in Matthew 23:12: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
God’s ways are not our ways. Neither are God’s thoughts our thoughts (Isa. 55:8). So it shouldn’t surprise us that in God’s economy the path to honor is humility. Scripture both teaches us this principle and provides the ultimate example in Christ Himself. “By taking the form of a servant… He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted Him and given Him a name that is above every name,” (Phil. 2:7-10). This is how God responded to the perfection of His covenant Mediator to His genuine humility.
But the truth of the matter is, no fallen sinner is born humble. From the ground up we can be counted on to pursue our own interests above those of others and to seek respect and recognition for what we achieve and acquire. For this reason, the kind of humility God honors is not possible by human effort. Rather, it emerges from the work of God’s Spirit within us.
As the biblical principle teaches, a Christian who exhibits true humility is like a growing tree. The deeper the roots dig down into the earth, the higher and stronger the tree grows. If you want God to bless and exalt you in due time, humble yourself before Him. Keep the attitude and desires of your heart directed God-ward, and He will lift you up to a position of honor. “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall: but before honor is humility,” (Prov. 16:18, 18:12).
God cast Satan and a third of His created angels from heaven for their prideful desire to be the center of attention and objects of worship. God exiled Adam and Eve from the beautiful Garden of Eden for their desire to be like God and their resultant self-pride.
It would be wise of us believers to remember that “it is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud,” (Pro. 16:19). A happy, contented lowliness is the foundation of true greatness. Did not the Lord Himself say, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven?” (Matt. 5:3).
Scottish preacher Hugh Binning notes, “Truly, the spirit cannot meet with Jesus Christ, until he first brings it down low.”
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you,” (James 4:10).
- Is my spirit truly humble? Under false pretenses of humility pride is still evident, and such demonstrations are contrary to Your will, Lord. How righteous, however, is the garment of humility and poverty of spirit! Clothe me, Lord, with the true humility of Christ.
- It is said that humility is the ornament of all graces in a Christian, for it is the righteous adornment of Christ Himself. This wonderful cloak of humility beautifies whatever is excellent and supplies whatever is deficient in me.
- Lord Jesus, though You were equal with God, You chose to humble Yourself by taking on the form of humanity so You might fulfill God’s plan for my redemption. You are my pattern and model of how to live humbly before God, my Father.
Further References for Prov. 16:19
Isa. 57:15; Prov. 29:23; Exod. 15:9; Luke 18:14; Prov. 3:34
