1st Corinthians 13:4 "Charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own.
This passage of scripture teaches us that one of the manifestations of love is that it does not seek to promote self. The word "Vaunt" means to push forward or feature oneself prominently, with the hope of gaining attention to feed our pride and love of approbation. To cultivate a meek and humble spirit is not an easy task, and constant self-denial through the grace and power of God, must be exercised on a daily basis, lest we gradually fall into the snare of desiring the notice of our peers.
Goliath was gravely affected by the disposition to vaunt himself, on account of his size and the the strength which he received as a gift from God. Instead of giving glory to God for what had been given him, he instead allowed pride and love of display to go to his head, and instead of praising God, he cursed and defied the armies of Israel, with the intention to intimidate them into submission. Let's read:
1st Samuel 17:10 And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together. 11 When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.
But the word of God teaches us that pride goes before a fall, and a haughty spirit before destruction, and because of his sacrilegious boasts, God used a youth with a simple stone to slay him, thus precipitating the utter defeat of the armies of the philistines, and causing them by this stunning loss, to eat a considerable amount of "Humble pie".
Whatever may be our advantages in life, whether in talent in education, or in finances, we should always seek to glorify God who gives us these gifts, and they should be used for the up-building of His kingdom on the earth, and for the benefit of humanity. After the untimely death of Michael Jackson, his former producer was being interviewed on his life and legacy that was left behind, and he was then asked to comment on his premature death, which was triggered in part by his heavy dependence on drugs. In his response Quincy Jones said that the problem with Michael Jackson was that he left God out of the picture, taking all the credit for his rare talents to himself.
In our own personal lives we may have been blessed by God with rare talents and gifts, but these are ever to be acknowledged as coming from the hand of our beneficent Creator, and should be used to honor and glorify His name. If we have been blessed with the gift of giving, let us do so with a humble spirit, not seeking to have our good works trumpeted on the street corners, or lauded to the high heavens in the church. If we have been blessed by God in the area of education, let us use our knowledge and wisdom to help others in whatever way we can, not desiring that the many Doctorate and Masters degrees be trumpeted to the hearers every time before we make a speech. Let us remember always that all good things come from God, and He bids us to be humble and contrite in spirit, at all times and in all places.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which reiterates this very point, and it is the will of God that we endeavor by His grace, to put it into practice starting today. Let's read:
Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!