The Dangers of Self-Promotion

“When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable:  ‘When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited.  If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, “Give this person your seat.” Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place.  But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, “Friend, move up to a better place.” Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests.  For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’” (Luke 14:7-11 NIV)

Is it just me, or do you sometimes cringe as well when viewing social media and seeing so much blatant self-promotion.  It often feels like an escalating arms race to see who can show they have the best life possible.  From having the greatest husband or wife, the most adorable kids, to the most gratifying or significant job or the latest book deal.  In this age, we are rarely shy about putting our lives and accomplishments out there for all to see.

I recently saw a story on 60 Minutes about a man who, before the start of World War II, was responsible for saving the lives of hundreds of children from certain imprisonment and death by the Nazis.  For 50 years, he never said anything about it.  He told the interviewer that he had done what he could to help and then got busy moving on in his life.  Obviously, he wasn’t interested or concerned that people learn of his efforts.  He just went about living his life.  But like those in Jesus’ parable who did not seek special attention, he was later given great honor for the extraordinary efforts he made to save the lives of innocent children.  

I wonder if we have passed the point in our generation of tweets and posts of refraining from promoting ourselves and our accomplishments and waiting for the acknowledgements to come to us unsolicited.  Can we just go about living our lives without drawing attention to most everything we do?  I am not sure, but it is evident from what Jesus says that there is danger in self-exultation.  There is the danger of thinking we are better than we actually are (II Corinthians 10:12).  There is danger in receiving our reward in the here and now (likes and comments) and missing out on more permanent rewards later. (Matthew 6:1-4).  What we need to recognize is the self-promotion so common now should be looked at more carefully and in the light of God’s Word.  

Today, consider your need to self-promote and the dangers that lie there. Perhaps it is better to go about living your life in a humble fashion, allowing the accolades to come unsolicited and in their proper time.  

© Jim Musser 2014