Before Honor

“Before honour is humility.”* (Proverbs 15:33)

We all want to look important and special, don’t we? When you learn something new you want to tell about it. If you know something it is easy to want to show off. But this is not a good way to get attention. Listen and see if you can figure out the way to true respect.

In the story, how was Stephen a good example to Daniel? Even though he knew a lot, he didn’t try to look important. Instead, he used what he knew to help others. Stephen never made fun of anyone or argued for his own way. He was greatest, because he was “servant of all,”* (Mark 10:44) and thought of others first.

Everyone respects a person like that. Not because they show off. Not because they act bigger or can talk better than everyone else. No, they are more quiet, not trying to be the best. What they are shows by how they serve and care for others. They take time to learn and listen, instead of talk and tell. They are called a person of honor, because they choose to live right no matter what others say or do.

How can we be a person of honor? It starts with realizing how small we really are. It wasn’t until Daniel was in the middle of the woods that he realized that he didn’t know much. If he had acted “smart” and ignored Stephen’s warning, he could have been hurt.

When we are humble we will want to learn from others and not think of ourselves. Most of all, we will realize we need God to guide and take care of us. He knows everything, and we really don’t. Without Him, we will mess up our lives and end up in big trouble. To obey and follow Jesus is to be a person of honor.