13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:13-14 ESV)
We live in a world where we hold certain people up due to some perceived status and glorify their exploits. It would seem that the more they are in the spotlight, in a good or bad way, the more we exalt them.
But God looks at people in a completely different way. He looks for us to be humble and trustworthy so that others might see His light shining through us to reach others. This is more than just trying to be good, but it is endeavoring to do good as well. To reach the world for God through our words and actions. To humble ourselves before God and act accordingly.
When we stand and beat our drum so that others may see what we have done, or how good we are, scripture assures us that we have received our reward. Everything on earth is passing away, only what we do in light of eternity will be lasting.
