Sunday Devotional: Matthew 5:5

Blessed are the humble, for these shall inherit the earth.

Humility is a much-maligned and, I think, often misunderstood quality. People tend to think of humility as being a door-mat, allowing others to push past and advance beyond you, not because they’re better people, or because they’re better qualified, but simply because you are humble and don’t want to promote yourself above others.

There are translations that render the Greek praus as “meek” which doesn’t help, since we often associate meekness with a kind of “I’m just a worthless schlub, you go on and don’t worry about me” attitude. I much prefer the way my Greek lexicon defines the word praus: “Not being overly impressed by a sense of one’s self-importance.”* This reminds me more of Philippians 2:3:

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. [ESV]

The word Paul uses for “humility” there is not our word in Matthew 5:5, but I think the sentiment is the same. Humility is a selfless regard for the needs and desires of others over your own, and maybe at the expense of your own. It’s first and foremost looking at others as more important, more worthy, and more significant than yourself. Instead of saying “I deserve this,” saying “why should I deserve this more than someone else?” Paul goes on in Philippians 2 to put Jesus forward as the ultimate example of humility and selfless sacrifice.

This attitude doesn’t mean we never try to achieve goals, or advance in the world. I believe God blesses people with material advancement so that they can be a blessing to others. Wealthy Christians, or successful Christian businesses are in a position to use their wealth and resources for the advancement of God’s kingdom, and the nurture and encouragement of the church. So humility doesn’t mean “not getting on in the world,” but it dictates how we get on–not at the expense of others. And, of course, our humility must always be in the context of our relationship with God–we must always humbly recognize God’s ways as superior to ours, and accept our place in God’s decrees.

Another underlying meaning for “humble” is “the oppressed”–i.e., those who have been humbled. In this sense, this beatitude mirrors the first: the poor in spirit receive the kingdom of heaven, the humble (or humbled) inherit the earth. God promised Abraham that he and his children would be heirs of the world through faith (see Romans 4:13 ff), and while the land of Israel may have been the initial physical reference, clearly God had a greater plan than merely the spread of His people over a piece of land. Rather it is the spread of the gospel amongst every tribe, tongue, and nation, where countless of people will receive an eternal inheritance unconstrained by national boundaries.

In this way the humble will inherit the earth: those who humble themselves before God and embrace the gospel, and who then consider others more important than themselves and are willing to become servants in obedience to the gospel, will become co-inheritors with Christ of eternal life and the kingdom of heaven. Does that include you?

Have a great week!

*A GREEK ENGLISH LEXICON OF THE NEW TESTAMENT by Bauer, Danker, Arndt, and Gingrich