Proverbs 6:16-19

“There are six things that the Lord hates,
seven that are an abomination to him:
haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
and hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked plans,
feet that hurry to run to evil,
a lying witness who testifies falsely,
and one who sows discord in a family.” NRSV

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3 NRSV).

We are definitely a “why me?” culture. We want the best for ourselves, often without the corresponding effort. We want to avoid suffering and loss at all costs, but don’t really mind if others suffer around us.

Harsh? Yes. But likely, it is the truth. We are, as a culture (and becoming, as a world), highly competitive and self-centered. There isn’t anywhere touted the idea that we should promote others over ourselves or suffer loss so that others don’t have to.

Except in the Bible.

I looked up “pride” and “haughty.” In the Hebrew, the word “rom” actually means “to be high, exalted.” In English, the words “pride” and “haughty” both have the connotation of being better than everyone else, of not being on the same plane.

I shouldn’t have to suffer . . .
That person I loved shouldn’t have died . . .
I shouldn’t have lost my home . . .
I should have been promoted . . .
I should have gotten that loan (or car or house) . . .
I should be the one chosen . . .

To all these questions (and ones like them), I would ask: Why not?

Think about a typical, fairly common situation. One opening for a promotion. Several people vying for it. Only one will get it. All of the others will lose out. Why should we desire to “win” so that all these other people will lose?

Haughty eyes.

The verse in Philippians says: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit.” Selfish ambition. Self-seeking. Conceit. The idea that I should receive the “good” (the recognition, the attention, the glory, the benefit, the rewards) and that others will have to wait (or not get at all).

Matthew Henry: “We must be concerned not only for our own credit, and ease, and safety, but for those of others also; and rejoice in the prosperity of others as truly as in our own. We must love our neighbour as ourselves, and make his case our own.”

We’re often so busy trying to get what we need (or, more likely, want) for ourselves that we don’t have the time or effort (or inclination) to try to “get” for someone else. We’d rather have the nice office, the better position, the higher salary, the larger home, the newer car, the better clothes, the more spectacular event, more attention, more control, more power. We aren’t inclined to even give in, no less seek the betterment of someone else around us to our own detriment.

Haughty eyes.

We look upon the world as the place where we get what we need, want, desire, can benefit from. Everyone else can take care of herself.

That certainly isn’t what the Lord Jesus did (on this earth) and it’s certainly not what He commanded us to do. Isn’t there a greater reality for us? Isn’t this life simply a breath and then gone? I think that heaven (and eternity) need to have an impact on our lives. If this—these short years—is all there is, then we should go for the gusto and get all we can get. However, if eternity (and heaven) are real, then it doesn’t matter whether we succeed or fail here as long as we live the cause of Christ . . . in humility and great love for those around us.

© 2008 Robin L. O’Hare. All Rights Reserved. International copyright reserved. This study may be copied for nonprofit and/or church purposes only without permission when copied in its entirety (including this notice).