The Rewards of Humility

Proverbs 22:4 amp

The reward of humility [that is, having a realistic view of one’s importance] and the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord

Is riches, honor, and life.

Matthew Henry concise commentary

Where the fear of God is, there will be humility. And much is to be enjoyed by it; spiritual riches, and eternal life at last.

Miyagi’s commentary

If a person has the fear of the Lord, he has humility.  Therefore, those who are prideful and arrogant lack this fear of the Lord and forfeit all the benefits that comes with having humility such as riches, honor and eternal life.  God desires that His people walk with humility and He blesses those who do so.  But man tries to gain all these benefits through deceitful means when all they have to do is just be humble.  That is the easier way.  

Summary conclusion:

God rewards the humble, those who has a realistic view of themselves.  The proud, on the other hands, brings destruction to themselves because they have an unrealistic view of themselves...thinking they are better than everyone else.  

Luke 18:14 AMP

…..for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself [forsaking self-righteous pride] will be exalted.”

Matthew Henry concise commentary:

Let us beware of presenting proud devotions to the Lord, and of despising others. The publican's address to God was full of humility, and of repentance for sin, and desire toward God. His prayer was short, but to the purpose; God be merciful to me a sinner.  And God's glory is to resist the proud, and           give grace to the humble. Justification is of God in Christ; therefore the self-condemned, and not the self-righteous, are justified before God.

Miyagi’s commentary:

How difficult it is for man to “forsake self-righteous pride.”  In this society, people boast of pride.  Everyone wants to be the best and brightest in the crowd.  All wants to stand out and be number one.  To take the position of humility is far and few in between.  But Jesus honors the humble and exalts them.  And He resists the proud.  So the Lord values the very thing that the world despises, which is humility.  Interesting how the world’s view of what is important is totally upside down.  What God values, this world despises.  

So humility is the result of the fear of the lord and the consequences of having the fear of the Lord are riches, honor and life.  The presence of a humble attitude gives way to a teachable and discipline spirit.  So we do well to be humble, and teachable in the ways of God.  

Summary conclusion:

Humility and pride are polar opposites.  One is rewarded by God while the other is punished by God.  Humility brings true rewards while pride brings destruction.  To choose humility is the way of wisdom.   Yet so many foolish people today are still holding on to their pride.

The big picture:

We seek to be humble, but we can never claim to have arrived.  Because humility is a funny thing.  Once you think you have it, you don’t.  

The byword:

When in doubt, take the humble route…. because humility always wins.  

Miyagi