Luke 18: 9-14
And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt:
Two men went up into the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself:
God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector;
I fast twice a week, I pay tithes of all that I get.
But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to Heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, God, be merciful to me, the sinner!
I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.
We can brag on our good qualities, so that people will see us in a better light; or we can be honest with ourselves and others about our true state, without elevating or denigrating ourselves.
I need to keep in mind that everything I am or have with which to exalt myself, I have been given by God, not myself. Without Him I have nothing, I can do nothing. Only in His power can I accomplish anything at all that is of worth.
O my Father, thank You for giving me so much, lavishly, out of Your storehouse of bounty! Please help me to guard against any hint of pride of accomplishment of anything I would do; show me how to always give You the credit, the glory for it all, without sounding "holier-than-thou" with those who compliment me, or who would seek me out.
Father, You are good, and You give us good gifts. Help us to use the good gifts You give us to help one another, to uplift the downtrodden, to build up Your church, and to promote Your Kingdom.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
