One of the great lessons we teachers try to teach our students is to take pride in their work. We want them to work hard enough on the assignment that they will be pleased with themselves at the end and proud to turn it in. Occasionally, some will take this too far by bragging about good grades or boasting that they are the smartest kid in the class. Jesus spends all of Matthew chapter 23 telling of the hypocrisy of the religious leaders. They spend more time and energy focusing on money than on humbling themselves as servants of God.
Christians often get a bad reputation because we so often get a "holier than thou" attitiude toward others. Jesus warns the leaders that they will pay for their sins and for the sins of their ancestors. He goes on to say that the only thing worse than their hypocrisy is their way of convincing others to sin also.
Genesis chapter 24 tells the story of two servants striving to the will of God. Abraham sends one of his servants to find a wife for Isaac. Throughout his journey, he turns to God in prayer. God helps him fulfill his job. Rebekah CHOOSES to go back with him to marry Isaac. The chapter ends with Isaac loving Rebekah. She didn't know what she was getting herself into, but she married someone who would love her.
We don't always choose our place in life. We certainly don't always control our successes. Today, let's remember that our blessings are from God, not from us. We have no reason to brag. We have every reason to pray that we live the life chosen for us by God.
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