Despite his status as a former world-class basketball player, David Robinson has resisted superstardom’s relentless temptations and forged a reputation as a quality human being on and off the court. One of the tangible results of his ongoing legacy is a private school in San Antonio, Texas.
A cursory glance at this academically rigorous institution won’t tell you that Robinson contributed $9 million (USD) to found it. The Carver Academy doesn’t bear Robinson’s name, but rather honors the memory of the great botanist and educator George Washington Carver (1864–1943). In a world that clamors for praise and adulation, David Robinson’s humble generosity is refreshing.
In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, He warned against doing things for the purpose of getting praise. “Watch out!” Jesus said. “Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:1). He extended that warning to indict “hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in synagogues where everyone can see them” (Matthew 6:5). Jesus wanted us to be secretive about our good deeds.
It’s easy to get addicted to praise and to fish for compliments. We crave to hear the glowing things people say about us. Humility, it seems, is impossibly elusive. And yet to be humble is the absolute standard Jesus calls us to. He lived it out for us. Paul wrote, “Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. . . . He took the humble position of a slave” (Philippians 2:6-7).
Some good advice for your humility quest is found in these words: “Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth—a stranger, not your own lips” (Proverbs 27:2). “God blesses those who are humble,” Jesus declared, “for they will inherit the whole earth” (Matthew 5:5).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Samuel 24:1-22
More:
What did Jesus say about good deeds in Matthew 5:14-16? How does this jibe with 6:1-6?
Next:
How do you deal with the desire to receive praise and attention? Who gets the praise when you let your good deeds speak for themselves?
daleproulx on March 31, 2011 at 4:51 am
When I’m Haiti I’m struck that where I would see Jesus most comfortable today is with the poor of the world.
tim gustafson on March 31, 2011 at 5:00 am
Agreed! While Jesus would not exclude the rich (He loves them too), He certainly spent more of His time with the down and out.
I wonder what that Pastor would say to Jesus’ comment: “The Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head”?
lindagma on March 31, 2011 at 7:00 am
“Self” is so hard to hold down. Even when I start out doing something quietly, and truly want the glory for Jesus, somehow, it nearly always creeps out of my mouth…or I get a bit offended that no one has taken notice. Humility is one of the hardest things to deal with.
A trend I see today is the “feel good” life. In looking for a magazine to approach for submitting articles, the guidelines all said they were looking for “positive” stories. Like none of us have any problems…or if we do, they don’t want to hear about them. Who gets thru this life unscathed.
eppistle on March 31, 2011 at 9:19 am
David Robinson is my favorite basketball player of all time. When he was a high school senior, he was “only” 6’7″. But in college he grew to 7′. Besides his philanthropy, he also took a stand for chastity. Truly a spiritual giant in the midst of peers who had fallen into the sins of materialism and promiscuity.
GChoo on March 31, 2011 at 12:18 pm
It is so true about the world. When we Christians become egoistic we will fall eventually. This is what happened to the only pastor of a church i had worshipped for almost 9 years. She had lost the reason for her service to God. She gave in to the temptation of power and status of leading a church. Eventually she was voted out after many years as pastor and founding member of the small church that never really grew. Unfortunately she has not yet realised her folly.
Yes, HUMILITY is really one of the hardest thing to deal with. I sometimes do feel the need to be praised or noticed for doing something good. How worldly of me. So, I have to keep praying to God to remind me how to be humble.
daisymarygoldr on March 31, 2011 at 3:13 pm
I agree Jesus wanted us to be secretive about our good deeds. It should not be understood however that Jesus was telling us to not pray publicly. There are some who pray to earn the praise of others. That should not discourage us to pray outside in public as long we have the right motives. I say this because many Christians use that verse to refrain from praying in public.
In those days, it was a common practice to pray in public places. Even today it is not unusual to see people praying on the streets in orthodox Jewish neighborhoods. And it is not to show off. Public prayers are extended expressions of our heart’s longing to relate with God.
The Church should teach and encourage believers to pray in public. In the pagan society where I grew up, we often pray openly and seize it as an opportunity to evangelize. Events like our baby dedications, birthday celebrations, weddings and funerals are not private but full-fledged public affairs. Many of our non Christians friends come to know Christ through the prayers we offer in public.
Public prayer is an essential doctrine in the church back home. As children, we learned to pray aloud—extempore and do not read written prayers or recite the Lord’s Prayer. Praying in public should not be merely about asking. We consider them as means to worship and praise God. We do sing and use music to worship but that is to use the song writer’s words. When we pray as an act of worship we extol and exalt our Creator in our own words. And so, praying in public also serves as a powerful testimony to the greatness and goodness of God.
In this culture, it is sad to see Christians who are either embarrassed or shy away from praying publicly for fear of offending others. Jesus prayed in public and so did the disciples. We should also see it as a privilege to pray before others. And yes, it should be done in humility. That is the main reason why we pray in the name of Jesus. It is to imply that as wretched sinners we cannot come into God’s presence let alone call upon His Holy name.
So, is it pharisaical to pray in public? No. Should we get into our closets to pray? Well, there is a time and place to communicate privately with God. But I love the attitude of the Hebrew boys who boldly prayed in public even while they lived as captives in a foreign land. Anyone dare to be a Daniel? Then throw open the windows of your room and pray—for God to open the windows of Heaven and shower us with His bountiful blessings.
winn collier on March 31, 2011 at 10:54 pm
First off, David Robinson is just the best.
Second, it is both hopeful and unnerving to recognize anew how that God probes into motives, as much as into actions.
GChoo on April 1, 2011 at 9:34 am
Daisymarigoldr, thank you for your contribution. Yes, i do truly agree with you because God knows our every motive.
My spiritual life was not growing much when i was worshipping in a church whose pastor (longer there now) was concern more about power and status for herself. There were internal conflict more than being focused on God. When i left after much prayer and waiting on God (6 months) while still worshipping in the old church, He directed me to this wonderful church, quite a big congregation, whose concern is to be a missionary, united, nurturing, growing, offering and serving church.
I know that God is slowing and surely transforming me to the person He made me to be through this church. I have grown spiritually through the teaching of the sermons, the worships and the activities of the church not only for our own members but the community and even outwith. Prayer is never out of the focus (different prayer groups to join) because we are reminded of the power of prayer, not only for ourselves but others and the Kingdom of God. We are encouraged to pray for others and when appropriate in some services related to prayer when we take a few minutes to pray together.
My relationship with God has deepen just as i have for myself and others. And i must truly say it is down to prayer and the willingness to wait on the Lord. I must admit, the wait is never the easiest. I thank God for His Love and Faithfulness. Amen!
daisymarygoldr on April 1, 2011 at 11:52 am
GChoo, Thank you for sharing your story. It has greatly encouraged me. May God bless you with His peace.