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 interest of the others. Philippians 2:3-4 NIV

The reason Paul told the church to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit is because it’s our natural tendency to do everything out of one or both. Our flesh can’t help but crave exaltation. And our hearts, which are deceitful and beyond cure, will high-five that compulsion all day long.

Such was the case at a prominent Pharisee’s house where the guests jockeyed for positions of honor around the dinner table. Before calling them out on their hunger for status, Jesus served the group some difficult questions. Although clueless as to how to answer, they were savvy enough to keep their mouths shut. Engaging with Jesus wasn’t worth forfeiting their rank among men.

The obviousness of it all gave Jesus the perfect opportunity to share a parable about seating arrangements and their consequences. He said, “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 14:8-11 NIV).

Needless to say, Jesus’ story is more than a life hack on how to avoid embarrassment at parties. He was addressing the human compulsion to matter more than the next guy. When we’re willing to take the lowest place, we recognize what actually matters is the next guy.

Most of us accept this intellectually but living it out is another thing entirely since “the lowest place” usually means the least glamorous seat. It’s a spot at the proverbial kid’s table where nary a person gathered will high-five our ambition or help advance our self-interested agendas. Which, of course, is the whole humbling point. Instead of jockeying for positions of honor, Jesus invites us to pull up a chair next to the poor in spirit. And alongside those who mourn, the meek, and those persecuted because of righteousness. It’s a personal invitation because that’s the table at which Jesus sits, and His ultimate desire is that we find our place next to Him.

When we do, the promise attached is eventual exaltation—though it likely won’t be the kind our flesh craves. And it may not occur this side of eternity. But there will be a day when we finally experience this revelation in full: engaging with Jesus was worth forfeiting our rank among men. In fact, it’ll be worth everything we’ve ever had to offer because we’ll hear Him say the words, “Friend, move up to the better place.”

Prayer: Praise God for His not-so-subtle parables about our sinful condition. Thank Him for repeatedly inviting you to sit with Him in lowly places. Ask the Lord to expose and heal your prideful heart that craves fleshly exaltation. And ask Him to show you who you can serve.

Excerpt The Chosen, Book Four, Amanda Jenkins