April 20

Humility is not readily associated with the well-to-do. In fact, it is often the flip side of that character coin, arrogance which sets apart the lofty from the plebeians! Many of us who thought our wealth to be secure have received an unsought dose of humility through the recent economic downturn.

And it may, ultimately, work to our advantage, for the Bible states clearly in Psalm 37:11 that it is “the meek who shall inherit the earth...” It goes on to say something else that is worthy of note—“…and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”

The implication here is that with arrogance comes strife and turmoil and a lack of a viable inheritance among our fellow journeyers through life. When we are preoccupied with promoting ourselves above others, we have little that is intrinsically valuable to show for our efforts. Though others may envy what we possess, they do not envy what we are.

Nor do we have inner tranquility when we are constantly straining for ascendancy over those around us. When we lack humility, we rob ourselves of anything of abiding value and of the peace of attaining it. Perhaps recognizing our need for things of eternal worth is the silver lining behind the cloud of the current economic storm.