“Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.”
Proverbs 22.4 · NIV
This verse connects two inner attitudes (the cause) with three outward results (the consequence). It is a law of spiritual cause and effect.
The Cause (The Inner Posture):
The Consequence (The Reward):
The world says: "Be arrogant, promote yourself, and ignore the rules to win." Wisdom says: "Lower yourself in humility and fear, and God will raise you up in honor and life."
"Good to Great" — Jim Collins
This verse is the biblical definition of the "Level 5 Leader." Collins found that the most successful leaders were not egocentric superstars, but those who combined extreme personal humility with professional will. The "honor and riches" of their companies were the reward of that humility.
"The Knight in Rusty Armor" — Robert Fisher
The Knight sought "honor and riches" through arrogance and appearances (his shiny armor). He only found true "life" when he learned the lesson of humility, admitted he needed help, and cried the tears that rusted his armor.
The greatest demonstration of humility and the fear of the Lord was the life of Jesus Christ.
In Philippians 2:5-11, we read that Jesus "humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross".
What was the reward for that supreme humility? "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place (the highest HONOR) and gave him the name that is above every name..." and He is the Way to eternal LIFE.
Following Christ means following the downward path of humility to find the upward path of true honor.
Wisdom Pill
Humility That Builds · For reading with children
References
Philippians 2:5 · NIV