The Role of Humility in a Family Legacy

Proverbs 11:
2. When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

The contrast here between pride and lowliness or humility is the difference between one who trusts in his own resources and one who trusts in God. This same theme is stated over and over again throughout the Scriptures using different illustrations. One example would be widows.

“Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.” (1 Timothy 5:5)

This widow is identified in the context as someone who has no family – no one at all to care for her – and therefore must trust in God because she has absolutely no resources of her own. This is also why children are used to illustrate this.

“And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:2-4)

Some think that children are used as an example here because they are innocent or they are examples of faith. No, it’s because they are without any resources and dependent and must look to someone else to supply their needs and so exercise faith in another in this way, just like the widow. Now it becomes easier to see why Jesus spoke of the rich as he did.

“For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” (Luke 18:25-27)

The rich tend to trust in and depend on their resources. They also are tempted to compromise their principles if their resources are jeopardized. It is a trap and they are vulnerable. But feeling self-sufficient is not a necessary condition of the rich. Abraham and Job both were very rich (Bill Gates kind of rich) and they are both held up to us in the Scriptures as examples of faith. On the other hand children and widows can be models of wickedness. The examples are intended to communicate this kind of attitude.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)

Being poor in spirit is an attitude of dependence on God. Both Abraham and Job were poor in spirit, even though they were rich. Those who are materially poor are destitute and therefore are presented as a visible illustration of that dependence.

“And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.” (Luke 6:20)

These are synoptic texts and say the same thing – the attitude of dependence is that which is blessed, not the condition of poverty.

This attitude of dependence is essential for the success of your Family Legacy. Did you notice how often this attitude is connected with the Kingdom of God? Linking your Family Legacy to the certain success of the God’s Kingdom will require the cultivation of this attitude of dependence.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)