Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:3-5
“Do not imagine that if you meet a really humble man he will be what most people call “humble” nowadays: he will not be a sort of greasy, smarmy person, who is always telling you that, of course, he is nobody. Probably all you will think about him is that he seemed a cheerful, intelligent chap who took a real interest in what you said to him. If you do dislike him it will be because you feel a little envious of anyone who seems to enjoy life so easily.
He will not be thinking about humility: he will not be thinking about himself at all. If anyone would like to acquire humility, I can, I think, tell him the first step. The first step is to realise that one is proud. And a biggish step, too. At least, nothing whatever can be done before it. If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed.”
C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity (New York: Harper Collins, 1980) 128.
Why this quote from Lewis today? What’s it got to do with generosity?
A friend of mine lost a dear friend and mentor who was, no doubt, an “intelligent chap who took a real interest” in my friend, which made me think of this snippet from Mere Christianity. Then my mind went to the mentors in my life (blokes like Wes Willmer, Tom Assmus, Dan Busby, and the men of the Tuesday morning Pinehurst Bible Study that I have attended for 15 years). These men generously exhibit humility. They think and care not for themselves but for others.
Since my friend whose mentor passed away can’t reach out and thank his mentor, let us reach out to thank ours today. Perhaps forward this email to one of your mentors and tell them how much you appreciate them for not being “smarmy” toward you (I had to look that word up: it means “insincere”). Lewis, much like the Apostle Paul, reminds us that we must abandon selfishness and acknowledge our pride to have the humble mindset of Christ. We must do this to have any impact on the lives of those around us.
Father, forgive our conceit and help us center our thoughts on You and others, just like Jesus, so that our lives generously bless others, even as we have been blessed. Amen.