Balancing Act

(Proverbs 3:4 KJV)  So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

This is a verse that I think gives a principle rather than a law.  The reason is that the balance of scripture tells us that this will not always be the way things are.  All you need to do is begin reading the Sermon on the Mount.  Jesus tells us,

(Matthew 5:11 KJV)  Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

And to show the balance you see a verse that is almost the same as Proverbs in the same section of scripture.

(Matthew 5:16 KJV)  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

The point is that no matter how we are treated we are still to live in righteousness.  We are still to seek and apply wisdom which is expressed in terms of kindness and truth in the previous verse.  As Paul said,

(Romans 12:18 KJV)  If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

So?  Seek eternity by being upright and living the truth.  It will please God.  Sometimes it will please your fellow man. 

Tooting Your Own Horn

(Proverbs 25:7 KJV)  For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.

Here is another source of a teaching of Jesus.  This one is expanded in Luke 14:8-11.  Jesus thought it was important enough to repeat.

The point here is Christian character, or, since this is the Old Testament, Godly character.  We are looking at one of the qualities of humility.  Paul also teaches this.

(Romans 12:3 KJV)  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

As a follower of Jesus you are expected to accept a lower station in life than you might think you deserve.  Many of us have a tendency to think that we are better than the other guy.  We think that our life has been harder or we have contributed more.  We see it every day.  We demonstrate it every day.

So?  Don’t toot your own horn.  Learn to be a servant of God and your fellow travelers.