Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. – Galatians 6:4-5

Today’s Scripture Reading (January 22, 2018): Galatians 6

Robert Fulghum in his classic book “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten” writes “Don't sell yourself short. You may never have proof of your importance, but you are more important than you think.” Sometimes we seem to conclude that all pride is bad. But the truth is that there is a measure of pride that is necessary for us to get out of bed in the morning. And part of pride gives us the confidence to move in different and creative ways. I believe that Fulghum is right. You may never have proof of your importance, but there is no doubt that you are more important than you think.

The problem with pride is when it comes into contact with someone else. While I believe that each of us is of infinite worth and necessary for the fabric of this thing that we call life, none of us are more important than someone else. It is a false pride that says that I am worth something because I am better than you. It is that kind of comparative pride that tears down everything that has been built up in our life communities.

And this is the point that Paul is trying to get at as writes to the Galatian Church. There was a belief going around the early church that Jesus was going to come back soon, and therefore, why work? But as the return of Christ was delayed, these people began to have to depend on the generosity of the church to live. And maybe they began to take pride in this idea or began to believe that they were better than the others because they knew the truth while those who were paying their way did not have the faith just to live and make the most of their time on earth before Jesus returned. The reality was that this situation was creating a high stress on the system the Christians were developing to care for the less fortunate.

So Paul adds this note to the Galatians. Test your own actions. Are you better today than you were yesterday? Don’t compare yourself to someone else. Carry your own weight. If it is possible, provide your own support. Love because that is who you are, not because you expect that love to be returned or because you want to be known as a more Christian person than somebody else. Take pride in who you are becoming, and not in who you can beat in some arbitrary list of characteristics or belief. After all, we are all important. And while you may never have proof of your importance, but you are more important than you think. Which just makes you the equal of your neighbor.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Acts 20