How can we remain humble when experiencing blessings like Job's in Job 29:6? Verse in Focus “When my feet were bathed in cream and the rock poured out for me streams of oil.” (Job 29:6) Recognize the Source of the Cream and Oil • Every good gift “comes down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17). • “Who makes you different? And what do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7). • Moses warned, “You may say in your heart, ‘My power…’ …but remember the L ORD your God” (Deuteronomy 8:17-18). • Habit: as soon as a blessing arrives, immediately trace it back to God in words, out loud if possible. Maintain a Running List of Gratitude • “Bless the L ORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits” (Psalm 103:2). • Record daily mercies; humility grows when we live aware of how often the Father stoops to provide. • Speak thanksgiving before others (Psalm 34:2) so praise, not self-promotion, fills the air. Keep the Cross Front and Center • “Far be it from me to boast except in the cross” (Galatians 6:14). • Jesus “emptied Himself… He humbled Himself” (Philippians 2:5-8). • Regular meditation on Christ’s sacrifice shrinks our ego: the greatest Gift eclipses all lesser gifts. Let Blessings Flow Through You, Not Just To You • “I will bless you, and you will be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2). • “The generous soul will be enriched” (Proverbs 11:25). • Command the prosperous “to be rich in good works, to be generous” (1 Timothy 6:17-19). Practical ideas: – Anonymous giving that no one can applaud but God. – Using influence to lift the overlooked (Job 29:12-13 shows Job did this). – Budgeting with a “first-fruits” line item, not leftovers. Practice Disciplines That Starve Pride • Fasting reminds the body it is not in charge (Matthew 6:16-18). • Serving in hidden roles (clean-up crew, nursery, visitation) recalibrates the heart. • Regular confession of sin keeps the soul low and open (1 John 1:9). Invite Truth-Telling Community • “Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another” (1 Peter 5:5-6). • Choose friends who love you enough to celebrate victories yet question motives. • Allow spouse, mentor, small group to ask, “Is pride creeping in?”—and answer honestly. Measure Success by Eternity, Not Earthly Applause • “What is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18). • Fix hope “on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:13). • When the eternal reward is primary, present-tense luxuries lose their power to inflate us. Summary Snapshot By continually crediting God, cultivating gratitude, centering on the cross, channeling blessings outward, embracing humility-shaping disciplines, walking with accountable believers, and viewing life through an eternal lens, we keep our hearts low even when our “feet are bathed in cream” and “the rock pours out streams of oil.” |
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