July 31
Let Others
Praise You
"Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips."
Proverbs 27:2 (NIrV)
Finn sat back in his favorite armchair, the one he’d had for years. The kind of chair that perfectly molded to his body, comfortable and familiar. His new flat-screen TV was mounted on the wall across from him, a 75-inch beauty that he was endlessly proud of. He loved to talk about it—how it had the best picture quality, how he got it on a special deal, how it was bigger than anyone else’s TV in the neighborhood. It had been the first thing he mentioned when he’d met his friends at the coffee shop earlier that day. “I’ll bet none of you have seen a TV as big as mine!” he’d boasted with a wide grin.
But that wasn’t all. Finn was retired now, and with plenty of time on his hands, he’d become accustomed to a lifestyle of leisure. His latest plans included a holiday to the Caribbean in a few weeks. “I’m going to be living the good life,” he told his friends, “and I’ll pay for dinner while I’m at it. I’ve earned it.” The words came out almost without thinking—he always liked to remind people of his good fortune.
As the days passed, Finn began noticing something that he hadn’t before: his friends didn’t react the way they used to. There was a shift, a quiet distance in their eyes when he spoke. His boasting seemed to make them uncomfortable. Even his wife, Carol, had started to give him soft, quiet glances when he went on about his accomplishments, as if she wished he’d stop. It wasn’t the same. He didn’t understand. Why didn’t they appreciate the things he’d earned?
One evening, as they were having dinner together, Finn caught Carol’s gaze. She had been unusually quiet that night. He put his fork down, noticing her expression. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
She took a deep breath and looked at him gently. “Finn, you’ve always worked hard for everything you have. But lately, it seems like you’re more interested in bragging about it than enjoying it. It’s like you want everyone to see how successful you are, instead of letting your actions speak for themselves.”
Finn was taken aback. He hadn’t realized it was so obvious. A part of him felt defensive—he had worked hard for these things, hadn’t he? But the words stung, and he began to reflect. He thought about the verse from Proverbs that he had read earlier that week during his quiet time. “Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth.”
It hit him like a wave. His pride and need for recognition had taken over, and it was starting to push people away. He had been so focused on showing off his success that he had missed the point of true contentment.
That night, Finn knelt by his bed to pray. “God, I’m sorry for my pride. I’ve been too focused on telling everyone about my achievements instead of letting my actions speak for themselves. Help me to be humble and to be content with what You’ve given me. I want to be a person who builds others up, not someone who seeks praise all the time. Show me how to live more quietly, with humility. Amen.”
The next day, Finn decided to make a change. He wouldn’t talk about his new TV or his upcoming holiday unless someone asked. Instead, he would focus on being present for his friends and family, listening to their stories, and showing interest in their lives. Little by little, Finn’s relationships began to feel different. They were warmer, less strained. He realized that the true joy came not from boasting, but from quietly living out the blessings God had given him.
Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Thank You for the reminder that true humility is not about seeking praise, but about letting our actions speak louder than our words.
Help me to find contentment in what I have and to build others up instead of focusing on my own accomplishments.
Teach me to walk in humility, and show me the joy that comes from giving, not boasting.
Thank You for Your grace and guidance as I learn to live in a way that honors You.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
