14:8Luke 14:8

Spoken as a parable to those invited to a Sabbath meal in the house of one of the chief Pharisees when it was seen how they chose the chief places, it was aimed especially at the appointed leaders yet pictures scenes of real life.Ms 58, 1895, par. 1–3+2 Its plain direction is that one invited to a wedding should not take the highest place, lest a more honorable guest have been invited and the host with shame ask him to yield his place.Lt 54a, 1898, par. 2–4+2 It stands as authoritative counsel for disciples in true social life, whose duties are the laws of the kingdom of God, teaching humility and proper conduct instead of seeking honor for self.Ms 19, 1899, par. 14–15+1 Reaching for a higher place than one is fitted for imperils the soul, for whoever exalts himself will be brought low into shame and a lower place, and this rebukes ambition, self-esteem, pride and grasping for supremacy.Ms 58, 1895, par. 1–3+4 The way to honor is to humble self rather than exalt self, rightly valuing others and taking a lowly place in service without claiming the greatest honor, since every gift comes from God.Ms 58, 1895, par. 1–3+4

The saying was given as a parable to those who had been invited, when it was seen how they chose out the chief places for themselves.Ms 58, 1895, par. 1–3+2 The setting was a Sabbath meal in the house of one of the chief Pharisees.Ms 19, 1899, par. 14–15 It was directed especially to the appointed leaders of the people, who had settled into fixed lines of work, were displeased with those who worked differently, and were content to teach the law without bringing its living principles into their lives.STMW11 14.2–4 Yet while spoken as a parable, it described scenes from actual life that had been witnessed.Ms 58, 1895, par. 1–3

A guest bidden to a wedding is not to sit down in the highest place.Lt 54a, 1898, par. 2–4+4 The reason is that a more honorable person than he may also have been invited.Lt 54a, 1898, par. 2–4+4 In that case the host may have to require him with shame to give place to the other and move down.Lt 54a, 1898, par. 2–4+3 The reproof was aimed at guests who pressed for the places of honor at a wedding feast.ST May 14, 1896

The instruction is authoritative counsel for disciples in the duties and regulations of true social life.Ms 19, 1899, par. 14–15 Those duties and regulations are the same as the laws of the kingdom of God.Ms 19, 1899, par. 14–15 It is spoken with great clearness and simplicity and with no uncertain sound, as apples of gold in pictures of silver.Ms 19, 1899, par. 14–15 By the choice of a seat Christ teaches humility and proper conduct in social life instead of seeking honor for oneself.RH Oct 2, 1900

Striving for the highest place when invited to a wedding imperils the soul, for whoever exalts himself will be brought low and whoever humbles himself will be lifted up, so the lesson is to practice humbling self instead of exalting self because it is better to be honored by being lifted up than to lift oneself up.Ms 58, 1895, par. 1–3+3 Reaching for a position higher than one is suited for in search of human honor and advantage brings shame and humiliation and a lower place, and being humbled by God in this way is painful to human nature.ST Nov 16, 1888+2 The warning rebukes ambition and self-esteem, pride and desire for supremacy and the first seat, for such self-importance instead of meekness and lowliness is offensive to God.Lt 54, 1898, par. 4–6+3 When weighed in His judgment such striving to be first will bring shame, and those who pursued it will be ashamed.ST Mar 8, 1899

The lesson is to humble self rather than exalt self, for humility rather than self-exaltation is the way to honor.Ms 58, 1895, par. 1–3+2 No one should claim the place of greatest honor or accept praise as if deserved, since every gift and ability comes from God.ST Mar 8, 1899 Humility means rightly valuing fellow workers and maintaining a humble attitude toward them.Lt 54, 1898, par. 4–6+1 It means taking a humble place in cooperative service and recognizing that God can work through others also, not seeking to make an impressive show or gain honor from people or make one's own ideas supreme, and one commended example is the one who does not put himself forward or take the highest seat.5T 501.2+3

Obeying this requires cooperating with God and with brethren so there is standing room for all who do the work, and cooperation with God brings His cooperation in return, while cooperation with brethren is greatly needed now.Lt 119, 1900, par. 21 It requires courage in the Lord, not thinking oneself the only agent God will use, doing one's best for Christ's sake without speaking one ungrateful word to God or to brethren, and then blessing follows with no moment to waste in regrets or recrimination.Lt 119, 1900, par. 21 Followers should be meek and lowly like their Master who suffered rejection and shame, not seeking worldly honor.5T 501.2+1 True merit is recognized by God and comes from following Christ's example, rooting life in Him, and doing good for God's glory, and worth is measured by character and faithful principles rather than position or outward display.Lt 13, 1902, par. 4–5

Striving to reach the high standard God sets must not become a desire for the highest place or position.Lt 141, 1895, par. 2–5+2 The nearer people come to Jesus the less they desire honor or a place above others, and they remain humble while preserving humility before God.Lt 141, 1895, par. 2–5+2 For those placed in charge of the Lord's institutions, exalting self as holding a superior position and occupying the highest seat to carry out plans of human devising means holding the truth in light esteem and implying that what is believed is of little consequence.FE 501.1 Faithfulness requires much strength and grace and keeping power from God to walk by the sacred principles of truth and preserve it pure and uncontaminated by error, for desire for supremacy makes a person unfit to be trusted in the Lord's work and leads to the lowest place.Ms 60, 1894, par. 10+1