JANUARY 23 - No Room for Pride
3-Year-Bible Reading: Proverbs 6:16–19; Matthew 20
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“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood…” — Proverbs 6:16–17
“And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’” — Matthew 20:3–4
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Have you ever felt frustrated when someone else got the same reward as you—but you feel like you worked harder for it? That kind of moment exposes something deeper in us: pride. In Matthew 20, Jesus tells a story where workers hired late in the day got paid the same as those who worked all day long. Naturally, the early workers were mad. But the master reminded them he was being fair—just generous to the others. This parable isn't just about wages. It's about how God’s kingdom works. Grace isn’t earned. And pride? That’s the fast lane to frustration, comparison, and division.
In Proverbs 6, the first thing God says He hates is “haughty eyes”—a prideful attitude. Pride is sneaky. It can make us think we deserve more than others, that we're better, or that our effort makes us superior. But Jesus flips that upside down. He teaches us to serve, to rejoice in others’ blessings, and to check our hearts when envy or entitlement creeps in. Real greatness in God’s kingdom isn’t about being first or best—it’s about having a heart that reflects His.
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THINK ABOUT IT
1. Check Your Heart: When someone else succeeds or is praised, do you celebrate with them—or compare yourself to them?
2. What Does God Value? According to Proverbs 6, God hates pride, lies, and unjust actions. Are these things present in your attitude or actions?
3. Redefine Fairness: In the parable from Matthew 20, how does God’s idea of “what’s fair” differ from our human view?
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BOTTOM LINE
Pride says “I deserve more,” but grace says, “I’m thankful for what God gives me.”
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PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for being so generous and fair. Help me let go of pride and comparison. Teach me to celebrate others and to see life through the lens of Your grace. Shape my heart to reflect Yours—humble, joyful, and full of love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
