Honey From The Rock

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Honey From The Rock
Psalm 81:16

"Sweet Stuff From God's Word"

A daily Bible study with Victor Knowles
Copyright 2007

DON'T BE A "BIG SHOT"

This entry was posted on 02-20-2008 and is filed under uncategorized.

"Do not [always] be thinking you are a "big shot," but lower yourself to accept humble tasks [or, humble people] (Romans 12:15-b, The New Testament: An Understandable Version).

I think this version (by William E. Paul) hits the nail on the head. Other translations say "do not be haughty," "do not aspire to eminence," "don't become snobbish," "do not be too ambitious," "do not be conceited." I'm not sure where the term "big shot" came from, but I do think that this is a good translation.

We all know what a "big shot" looks like, sounds like and acts like. It's not pretty. But Paul is cautioning Christians in our text not to think that they are "big shots." No one likes a "big shot" at work - or in the church. Perhaps the biggest "big shot" in the church in apostolic times was a fellow named Diotrephes. He loved to be first and would not associate with others he deemed inferior to himself (3 John 9). Here is the "acid test" to determine if you have a problem with "big shot-itis." Are you willing to accept humble tasks or associate with humble people? Jesus did both. Diotrephes did neither. How about you?

Prayer: Father, help us to always follow the teachings and example of Jesus.