Is giving honor biblical or prideful?
One of our duties as Christians is to honor God. We can do that through many ways. We can honor Him by giving back some of what He has given to us:
"Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase" (Proverbs 3:9).
We honor God also by loving Him (Deuteronomy 6.5; Mark 12.30), by obeying Him (1 Samuel 15.22; Jeremiah 7.23; Acts 5.29), by listening to Him (Bible study-- 2 Timothy 2.15), by trusting and relying on Him for all things (Proverbs 3.5-6), by seeking His will (Matthew 6.10, 33; 1 John 5.14), by praying as often as possible (Ephesians 6.18; 1 Thessalonians 5.17), by fellowshipping with the brethren often (Hebrews 10.24-25); by loving the brethren (John 13.34-35; 1 John 3.16-18), by loving others (Leviticus 19.18; Mark 12.31) and by sharing the gospel and making disciples (Matthew 28.19-20).
Everyone wants to be honored, some more than others. There is nothing wrong with being honored, but we should never seek it or crave it. We must remember that honor from man is temporary, fleeting and for the most part meaningless. Most people honor others in the hope of being honored themselves. The only honor that any Christian should seek and crave is the honor that will be given to him by the Lord. We should all live our lives so we will hear those blessed words come from the mouth of our Savior, "Well done good and faithful slave" (Matthew 25.21, 23).
The only way a Christian will receive honor is by dying to him self. Once one has emptied him self of the desires of the flesh, eyes and heart (pride) (1 John 2.15-17) he will be ready to be honored by God. Humility always comes before true honor (James 4.10).
All Christians should give honor to those to whom it is due (Romans 13.7). Husbands should honor their wives (Proverbs 31.28-31) and wives their husbands (Proverbs 31.12). Children should also honor their parents (Exodus 20.12; Matthew 19.19; Ephesians 6.2).
"A man's pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor" (Proverbs 29:23).
