Proverbs 17:1-3 (ESV)

[1] Better is a dry morsel with quiet

than a house full of feasting with strife.

[2] A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully

and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.

[3] The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,

 and the LORD tests hearts.

It’s not about who you are, it’s about who you are. Greatness, success, significance, importance, value – These are all things people strive for. They want to be great. They want to be important or significant. They want to do something of value or be someone that is valued. The problem is that we value the wrong things. It is not about who you are. Greatness is not found in being served over being the servant. Greatness is not found in taking the limelight rather than working in the shadows. Greatness is not found in accolades or acceptance. It’s not about who you are. It is about who you are.

God’s measurement of greatness is different than man’s. People seek greatness externally. God tests the heart. Throughout this chapter the principle that stands out is that true greatness is a matter of the heart. It is not about being a person with money. It is about being a person of character. It is not about being a person who is served. It is about being a person of humility and true wisdom. People with external greatness can still be fools. Servants can be people of great wisdom. It is not about who you are in terms of position or title. Greatness is about character. True greatness starts in the heart. Perhaps that is why we have so few real heroes in our world.

Colossians 3:1 (ESV)

[1] If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. [3] For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. [4] When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.