He was a very rich Arab, living in the Eastern desert. He had camels and horses and gold in abundance. In fact, he had so much gold that he wondered and wondered what to do with it.
He lived a wandering life, and his only home was a very beautiful tent. Where could he store his gold? He dided to shape it into large rings, and put it on his wife’s head. Now the gold weighed many pounds, and you may have thought that she would have quite a headache. In fact, he did not have so much gold all at once, but as he became richer, her load grew gradually heavier.
Did she mind? Not at all. She was very proud of her burden, and, though it pained her considerably, she grew so used to the weight of it that it gave her a far worse headache to take it off!
Yes, her pride was weightier than her gold, and God hates pride. Have you ever been guilty of pride and a proud look? Have you; boys and girls, ever worn a new dress or suit, and worn also that proud look which God hates? Are you proud of the things that your hands or your brains can do?
“Pride goeth before destruction.” Prov. 16:1818Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18). That sin of pride is not allowed in heaven. It would ruin heaven at once if it were there. Many a child and many a man or woman has gone to eternal destruction because he or she was too proud to come to Jesus for forgiveness. There will be many poor sinners in heaven, but not many rich, noble, or mighty (1 Cor. 1:2626For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: (1 Corinthians 1:26)) because their pride keeps them from coming to the Lord Jesus.
Dear reader, is your pride keeping you away from Jesus? Or, if you are saved, is your pride grieving the One who died for you? Oh, come to Jesus. In His presence it is impossible to be proud, for we really have nothing to be proud about.
ML 04/29/1951