Core Virtue :: HUMILITY

I choose to esteem others above myself.

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others." Philippians 2:3-4 (TNIV)

I love the way Eugene Peterson translated this passage in The Message:

"Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourself long enough to lend a helping hand." Philippians 2:3-4 (MSG)

This is not one of my strongest competencies. Father is continually teaching me about humility and transforming me into a more humble person. By saying that we choose to esteem others above ourselves, we assume a level of hierarchy in our relationships with others. I believe Paul is helping this young church in Philippi break out of that paradigm. Our survival instincts put our needs, our wants and our desires above everything else. We reach out when our stuff isn't threatened. Paul is flipping our natural tendencies on their head. When we love each other the way Father loves us, then we don't manipulate situations and relationships to get our way or to move us forward in our ambition. We can put ourselves aside, and help others get ahead.

What an incredible presentation this would provide to those who live with us in our communities. Can you imagine being a group of people known for this kind of fruit in their lives? All of us can point to certain people who live this way and we just know that there is something special about them. But an entire church? A whole community? That could blow the minds of some of the most critical.

Other competencies related to Humility : Identity in Christ, Compassion, Giving Away My Life, Biblical Community, Love, Kindness/Goodness

Parenting this Competency:

KidsKreed :: I am putting God first, others second and myself third.

It's important that you help your kids understand that humility is putting others above themselves. For kids, it's difficult for them to process thinking from another's perspective. Developmentally they may not be there yet. Part of our training is helping them "wear other people's shoes." Spend some time with your kids asking them questions like:

What happens when a friend wants to do something that you don't want to do?

When do you put what they want ahead of what you want?

Are there times when this is easier than other times? What makes it easier to do what your friend wants?

The answers to these questions can really lead to some great discussions with your kids.