There is a story of a businessman who made it not only big but very big. As the business grew, so did the ego, and he became very, very arrogant.

Until one day, because of the changes in attitude, the business went down. Because of this, he could not show his face to his relatives, his neighbors and to the many people he had displayed his arrogance.

The moral of the story is, you cannot go wrong with kindness and you cannot go wrong with humility. This too is the message of Jesus in the Gospel – humility.

Three reasons why we should always remember to be humble:

1. All that we have is only lent to us. Whether richer or simple, all that we have is only lent to us. Just go to any wake to remind us that we are all going to leave material behind. Hence the challenge to always be grateful. Grateful people are rich people.
2. What goes up, must come down. Nothing lasts forever, there is always an end to everything. The law of nature is what goes up will also come down. That is why there is a saying, “Treat all people with kindness on your way up as you will also meet them on your way down.”
3. Accountability. Rich or simple, at the end of our lives we are going to give to the Lord an accounting of how we have used the time, talent and treasure that he has lent us. In other words, the blessings we have been lent is not only for our own use, it is not only for others but also to make this world a better place to live in. In other words, the reminder of Christ, “I came to serve and not to be served.”

That is why in life let us remember that nothing is certain. One day you may be up but the next day, may not. But three things you cannot go wrong with: gratitude, kindness and service.