A Lesson in Humility

A while back when I was a richer man, my life had turned to shambles as the money was never enough and my wife and I argued constantly.

After one such all-nighter, I rose early in the morning and walked a ¼ mile to the church by my house. I wanted to ask the pastor what he thought was wrong with my situation.

As I sat on the steps of the church awaiting the Pastor, an older man raggedy dressed and sweating, approached me and saw I was troubled.

“Is there something I can do for you?” he asked. I said “Nah… I just had another huge fight with my wife and I’ve been up all night struggling with it.”

After I had answered him, he grabbed my hand, unfolded my fingers and placed a new five-dollar bill in my palm. “You need this more than I do today son… go get yourself a cup of coffee.” I smiled and said thank you as the Pastor arrived.

I spoke with the Pastor about all my woes… “I’ve given her everything she needs and I work my tail-bone off every day but it just doesn’t seem to be enough! I just want her to appreciate everything I do and give me the credit I deserve as I AM the money-maker in this relationship.”

After hearing this, the Pastor looked me deeply in the eyes and said “Son, you really do need to humble yourself. I know that might be hard for you but if you give of yourself willingly, asking nothing in return, you will see that your rewards will be far greater.”

I nodded and really did understand what he was saying. We talked for a while longer and said our good-byes. As I turned to leave, I said “Oh, by the way, please thank your groundskeeper for the coffee.”

Looking puzzled, the Pastor replied “Groundskeeper? We don’t have a groundskeeper and our landscapers aren’t due for another week so I’m not sure who you’re talking about.”

I then described him further and the Pastor replied again with “Oh, that’s ‘Homeless-Harvey,’ he has no money, no home and no job so I just gave him five-dollars this morning to empty our trash bins.”

It then hit me… I had just been taught a lesson in humility before I even knew I needed it! Here was a man who had nothing who saw another in need and gave all!

Glory be to God!