“The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.” (Prov. 22:4 ESV)
As a businessman working within the automotive industry for nearly 40 years, I had the privilege of attending many industry conferences and listening to just about every kind of motivational speaker give me all kinds of steps to follow to achieve the next level of success. There are all the normal tried and proven methods, of course, such as starting with a good plan, working hard, copying what other successful business people do, being honest, serving customers well, and building mentoring relationships, just to name a few—all good things, I might add. But I’ve never heard a speaker say the following: “Humility is a key step towards success.”
Humility flies in the face of human nature
Most people are self-centered and led one way or another by a strong sense of pride, which is a strong driving force that they use to get things done. However, pride does have a dark side, and it can get you into trouble if it is your driving force rather than God.
Pride is the opposite of humility and will lead you downward
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.” (Prov. 11:2 ESV)
Jesus said about humility
“When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice: “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table!
Jesus said to humble yourself
“Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:7-11 ESV)
Jesus set the example
“When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” (John 13:12-17)
“So the last will be first, and the first last.” (Matt. 20:16)
Therefore
“Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5 ESV)
“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,” (Col. 3:12 ESV)
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Mic. 6:8 ESV)
“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chron. 7:14 ESV)
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” (James 4:10 ESV)
