14:9Luke 14:9

Christ spoke this as part of His parable to the invited guests after marking how they chose the chief seats when He had gone into a chief Pharisee's house to eat bread on the Sabbath while they watched Him.Lt 54a, 1898, par. 2–4+1 Though spoken as a parable, it pictured scenes He had witnessed in real life, and it was directed to the settled leaders of that time who worked on set lines and taught the law without bringing its living principles into their lives.Ms 58, 1895, par. 1–3+1 It means that a guest who presumptuously takes the highest seat may be told by the host to yield it to a more honorable guest who was invited, and must then with shame take the lowest place, for whoever exalts himself shall be abased and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.Lt 54, 1898, par. 4–6+4 It warns that striving for the highest place from ambition, pride, self-esteem and desire for human honor and praise keeps souls from understanding the principles of the kingdom and ends in public humiliation and loss.Lt 54, 1898, par. 4–6+2 It therefore calls for humbling self instead of exalting self, giving all praise and glory to God from whom all gifts come, valuing and making room for fellow workers without seeking prominence, since God Himself will painfully bring down to the lowest place those who strive for honor.Ms 58, 1895, par. 1–3+3

The saying belongs to the parable put forth to those who were bidden, after marking how they chose out the chief rooms.Lt 54a, 1898, par. 2–4 It was spoken when He had gone into the house of a chief Pharisee to eat bread on the Sabbath day while they watched Him.Ms 19, 1899, par. 14–15 It was spoken with authority, to instruct disciples in the duties and regulations of true social life, which are the same as the laws of the kingdom of God.Ms 19, 1899, par. 14–15 The words were uttered with great clearness and simplicity and with no uncertain sound.Ms 19, 1899, par. 14–15

Though cast as a parable, it describes scenes He Himself had witnessed in actual life.Ms 58, 1895, par. 1–3 It was directed to the appointed leaders of that time, who had settled down to work upon set lines and were displeased with those who would work differently from themselves.STMW11 14.2–4 They were content to teach the law without bringing its living principles into their lives.STMW11 14.2–4

It means that a guest bidden to a wedding should not presumptuously sit down in the highest room.Lt 54a, 1898, par. 2–4+1 For a more honorable man may also have been bidden, and he that bade both may come and require the first guest to give place to him.Lt 54, 1898, par. 4–6+1 Then the displaced guest begins with shame to take the lowest room.Lt 54, 1898, par. 4–6+2 Seeking the highest place in this way can end in public humiliation when the host tells the guest to make room for someone more honored.RH Oct 2, 1900+2

The governing principle is that whoever exalts himself shall be abased, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.Ms 19, 1899, par. 14–15 Self-exaltation in striving for the highest place leads to being put down with shame to take the lowest place.Ms 58, 1895, par. 1–3 It is far better to sit in the lowest room and be honored by being called upward before fellow guests.Ms 58, 1895, par. 1–3+1

The verse warns of the danger that imperils souls in striving for the highest place from ambition and self-esteem, from pride and desire for status, human honor and praise.Lt 54, 1898, par. 4–6+4 Though spoken as a parable, it describes scenes actually witnessed in life, where the guest who presumptuously chooses the honored place is told to give place to a more honorable man who has been bidden, and begins with shame to take the lowest room.Lt 54, 1898, par. 4–6+4 Ambition and self-esteem prevent understanding the principles of the kingdom, and seeking exaltation for human honor ends in public humiliation and loss.Ms 58, 1895, par. 1–3+2 It is far better to humble self instead of exalting self, to be honored by being lifted up than to be put down with shame.Lt 54, 1898, par. 4–6+2

It teaches the need to preserve humility before God and to remain meek and lowly rather than seek prominence, worldly popularity and influence.Ms 58, 1895, par. 1–3+3 While striving to reach the standard God sets, humility must be maintained, for the nearer people come to Jesus the less they will desire prominence.5T 501.2+2 Seeking the highest place or position from desire for status brings shame in being made to move down.5T 501.2+2

All praise and glory belong to God, because human gifts and talents come from Him.ST Mar 8, 1899 Genuine merit is seen and valued by God, while desire for outward show and pretense lowers a person.ST Mar 8, 1899+1 Those who seek supremacy and put themselves first rather than meekness and lowliness, who strive to be first and seek human praise, will have the lowest place as the outcome when publicly told to give way in shame.Ms 60, 1894, par. 10+2

The verse requires valuing fellow workers and maintaining a humble attitude and esteem toward them.Lt 54, 1898, par. 4–6+1 It requires cooperating with God and with brethren to give standing room to everyone who does the work, having courage in the Lord without thinking oneself to be His only agent.Lt 54, 1898, par. 4–6+2 Workers are to humbly accept and cooperate with His servants, doing their best for Christ's sake without one ungrateful word to God or to brethren, and then the Lord will bless.Lt 119, 1900, par. 21+1 Refusing the highest seat is a sign of this humility, in contrast to criticizing and acting as though only they can do the work.Lt 119, 1900, par. 21+2

Seeking the highest place can end in being brought down to the lowest place by God.5T 501.2+1 Applied to self-exaltation, exalting oneself to the highest place leads to being humbled, for God will humble the proud in a way that is painful to human nature.5T 501.2+1