Not long ago, I heard someone say that they don’t drive, don’t have a vehicle, don’t have lots of clothes, don’t have a job. They said, you see, ‘I live a humble life’.
Since that time, I have been praying about what they said. I have been praying about making sure that I have a good understanding of what humility is … And what it is not. The following is what I believe that the Lord is telling me on this wise.
Humility is not being broke.
Humility is not having one pair of shoes/one hand bag or only one outfit to wear.
Humility is knowing that whatever you have or have access to is not because of your own efforts.
If you have 1 cent or one million dollars, it’s because God’s mercies toward you.
If you have 1 pair of shoes or 100 pairs, it’s because God’s mercies toward you.
You have a roof over your head- in a shelter or in Martha’s Vineyard- you have that roof because of God’s mercies toward you.
Humility is knowing that it is not your intellect, job, family lineage, or anything that has to do with you that you have what you have.
Humility is knowing that God allowed you to:
go to high school
finish high school
enter into college, trade school, etc.
complete your program/graduate
get a job
wake up and go to work
stay long enough to earn a check
beat depression and get out of bed and go to work… etc.
Or simply inherit a silver spoon.
Only God. Not you. For the bible states: But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish His covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day (Deuteronomy 8:18).
When God chooses to bless your life, there is nothing that you can do. Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and cannot reverse it (Numbers 23:7).
If being humble is about not having possessions or having access to things, how can the blessed be humble? Always give God praise and honor for everything, acknowledging that it was His provisions, not yours.
I can understand how someone could think that a person who does not have many things is humble. But it is possible for the human element to be prideful having one item. Furthermore, one may develop self-righteousness with that one item, thinking or saying that they have it because their own efforts. When we know all that is good and perfect comes from God (James 1:7) and that elevation and promotion is from the Lord also (Psalm 75:6).
Lord,
Thank you for showing me that there is a difference between being humble and being broke or broken. Teach me to love you, honor you, love all people, and cherish my relationship with you when I have and when I do not have. Teach me to acknowledge your role as you move across my entire life. Take away every ounce of pride that I have. Let me be more humble in each passing day. Lead me to always be grateful for your many blessings. Teach me to give, wanting nothing in return. Help me to always know that you are the source of my help. Give me an abundance and I will share as you direct me. Then Lord, teach me to always be thankful for all that you do and never ashamed to give you glory. In the precious name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.
Closer 