Daniel 4:30-31 (NKJV) The king spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honour of my majesty?” While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you!
King Nebuchadnezzar thought very highly of himself and what he could achieve apart from God, but God humbled him the next moment by taking his kingdom away from him.
The way we speak and treat others, prioritise our time, and what our values are all reveal what are closest to our hearts. Do we honour God by prioritising time for Him during our private and public moments? We need to conduct self-evaluations of our lives in light of our faith in God and choose to be humble before Him.
Pride is a very subtle attitude that a person of wealth, power, and authority exudes. It is not a good trait for a leader. It makes us look down on others, measure their worth based on their socio-economic status; it causes us to reject feedback, dislike being questioned about our methods and strategy and being accountable for our decisions. The need for power, authority, and the desire to be a leader are signs that someone may not be ready for leadership.
God will put someone down when He judges them, as He did with King Saul, and promote another, like David. The way of humility runs throughout the Bible. Humility is a character trait that God uses as a yardstick to encourage someone.
Genesis 41:39-41 (NKJV) Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”
Both Joseph and Daniel were righteous and had uncompromising integrity and faithfulness. Daniel’s enemies couldn’t find any fault in him, while Joseph refused the seduction of Potiphar’s wife. They never fought back, though they were persecuted and wronged by others. These are the character traits that please God, the fruit of the Holy Spirit for New Testament believers.
Both were called upon to solve critical, high-stakes mysteries that baffled the wisest men during their time. Their ability to bring clarity and solutions in crises made them indispensable advisors. Beyond spiritual gifts, both men possessed practical, managerial brilliance due to the administrative gifts given by God. Starting from low-ranking servants, they were both faithful in small things. Their promotions weren’t sudden strokes of luck. Instead, they built trust and demonstrated capability step-by-step, proving they could handle greater responsibility based on proven performance in lesser roles.
Their divine connection granted them favour, wisdom, and God’s blessings on their lives. Their rock-solid integrity made them invaluable to the kings and officials they worked for. Companies today also value the same qualities.
Sermon Series： Promotion Comes From God
谦卑是通往升迁之路
但以理书 4:30-31 王说：“这大巴比伦不是我亲手建为王宫、我以大能大力建造、为要显我威严的荣耀吗？”这话仍在王口中的时候，有声音从天降下说：“尼布甲尼撒王啊，有话对你说：你的国位离开你了。”
尼布甲尼撒王极其看重自己，认为凭着自己的能力可以成就一切，却在下一刻就被神谦卑地管教，夺去了他的国位。
我们说话的方式、待人的态度、时间的优先次序，以及我们所看重的价值观，都会显明我们心中所珍视的到底是什么。我们是否在公开与私下的时刻都尊荣神，将时间分别出来亲近祂？我们需要时常在信仰的光中省察自己的生命，选择在神面前存谦卑的心。
骄傲是一种极其隐晦的态度，常常出现在有权势、财富和地位的人身上。对于一个领袖而言，这不是一项良好的品格。骄傲会使我们轻看他人，按社会地位衡量人的价值，使我们抗拒指正，不愿意被质疑或接受监督，也不愿为自己的决定负责。若一个人极度渴望权力与地位，并热衷于掌控领导的位置，这或许反而显示他还未预备好承担领导的责任。
神会在审判中使人降卑，就如同祂使扫罗王失位一样；但神也会升高那些祂所喜悦的人，就如大卫。整本圣经中都可见到这条谦卑之路。谦卑是神用来鼓励和提拔人的一项品格标准。
创世记 41:39-41法老对约瑟说：“神既将这事都指示你，可见没有人像你这样有聪明有智慧。你可以掌管我的家；我的民都必听从你的话，惟独在宝座上我比你大。”法老又对约瑟说：“看哪，我派你治理全埃及地。”
约瑟与但以理都是义人，拥有毫不妥协的正直与忠诚。但以理的敌人找不到他的任何过错，约瑟也拒绝了波提乏妻子的引诱。他们虽然遭受逼迫和冤屈，却从不为自己伸冤。这些都是神所喜悦的品格，也是在新约时代圣灵所结的果子。
他们都被呼召解决当时代最棘手、最高风险的难题，是那些最有智慧的人都无法应对的。他们在危机中带来洞见与答案，使他们成为不可或缺的顾问。除属灵恩赐外，他们也拥有实际的管理能力，这些才干是神所赐的行政恩赐。他们都从地位低微的仆人起步，在小事上忠心，他们的升迁并非偶然的幸运，相反，他们一步步建立信任，展示能力，通过在较低职位上的出色表现，证明自己能够承担更大的责任。
他们与神之间坚固的关系，使他们得着神的恩宠、智慧与祝福。他们坚如磐石的正直品格，使他们成为王和官员眼中极其宝贵的人才。今日的企业也同样看重这些品格。
讲章系列：晋升来自于神
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