Luke 18:9-14
Jesus told a story to some people who thought they were better than others and who looked down on everyone else: Two men went into the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood over by himself and prayed, "God, I thank you that I am not greedy, dishonest, and unfaithful in marriage like other people. And I am really glad that I am not like that tax collector over there. I go without eating for two days a week, and I give you one tenth of all I earn."
The tax collector stood off at a distance and did not think he was good enough even to look up toward heaven. He was so sorry for what he had done that he pounded his chest and prayed, "God, have pity on me! I am such a sinner."
Then Jesus said, "When the two men went home, it was the tax collector and not the Pharisee who was pleasing to God. If you put yourself above others, you will be put down. But if you humble yourself, you will be honored."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
You may have heard the recent news report about a woman who injects her 8-year-old daughter with Botox, because – in her words… “a lot of the moms were giving their kids Botox… and I’m not the only one doing it. I think a lot of the kids making the lines on the face a big deal made her want to do it more.” The San Francisco mother contends that she is doing this to keep up with the “beauty-take-all world” of the pageant circuit.
Sadly, this little girl will apparently not get a chance to genuinely be herself. And I have to wonder if this incessant concern over physical appearance (I mean… c’mon… wrinkles on an 8-year-old’s face?!) won’t spill over into arrogance as this little girl grows into a young woman. “Normal” people will never be in her league… and those with physical deformities and more will most certainly be viewed as less than acceptable. At least the potential is there for some pretty scary attitudes and behaviors.
I am so done with phony people, aren’t you?! I’m worn out with people who say one thing to your face and act another way when you aren’t looking. I’m tired of the people who view those with poor hygiene and shabby clothing – or the “wrong” color or lifestyle choice – as beneath them. Give me good ole humble Christians who are striving to live in God’s will and focus on serving Him rather than serving themselves! Sometimes, I think God is thinking the same thing. Don’t you figure He gets tired of all of the grandstanding and arrogance… particularly when it comes from people who profess to be His Disciples?
Let’s look at what we are doing… in every aspect of our lives. Where are we setting ourselves – or those around us – up for the potential to operate in arrogance and piety? Where are we behaving as if we are better than others… or trying to be something – or someone – we are not? Do you see how this grieves God? Isn’t it time we became humble, genuine servants who say, “Here I am LORD… warts and all. If You can use me in some manner, I’m ready and willing to serve. Just point me in the right direction.”?
God may not ask you to take a “tax collector” (or a homeless person or someone whose beliefs don’t match your own) home with you for a meal. But whatever He asks of us, we must be ready – and willing – to do. If you were one of the people in Jesus’ story, who would you most resemble today?
©2011 Debbie Robus
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