The Ten-Buck Mistake

October 25, 2019

But the grace that God gives is even stronger. As the Scripture says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. So then, submit yourselves to God. Resist the Devil, and he will run away from you. Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners! Purify your hearts, you hypocrites!” James 4:6-8

Do you know who is on the U.S. ten-dollar bill? Alexander Hamilton. Hamilton’s achievements are stellar. He was a Revolutionary War hero, became George Washington’s chief of staff at age 22, was America’s first Secretary of the Treasury, and was co-author of The Federalist Papers. He created the Coast Guard and designed the nation’s banking and finance system. He was the one who designed and built a system of tax collection to bring revenue to the U.S. government, and built the infrastructure for our industrial economy. That’s an impressive list of accomplishments, one that should have secured him a place on the list of America’s most influential heroes.

But he is not on that list. Why not? Because of his pride. Unable to be humble and let loose of his pride, he agreed to a duel with a political enemy. Aaron Burr was the vice president to Thomas Jefferson, and the two men had personal and political battles for years. Hamilton spoke very disparagingly about Burr at a dinner party and was quoted in a public newspaper. To admit that he said what he said would have been damaging to him politically, so Hamilton refused Burr’s demand for an apology. Burr challenged him to a duel. Their associates tried earnestly to arrange an amicable settlement, but Burr and Hamilton refused. It went to a duel, and within moments Hamilton was mortally wounded. He died the next day at only 49, and his dreams and potential died with him. Burr, equally as prideful, was not physically injured, but this ended his political career and he ended his days in disappointment and obscurity. Pride killed what each man wanted most.

Pride always gets us into trouble. Humility is the only thing that can get us out. Many things die when pride is unchecked and unrepented. Ego is a killer. The prideful person blames mistakes on others, justifies them as inevitable, or refuses to acknowledge them. We are all flawed human beings. We make mistakes. We all fall into prideful errors from time to time. However, failing to recognize our wrong, ask forgiveness, and change course will doom us. Pride is a fatal character flaw. It kills. Always.

• Ask “Do I have any relationships in danger of death by dueling egos?”
• Where do you need to seek humility and ask forgiveness or offer it?
• Submit to God so He can help you.