I heard a story about two geese and a turtle.

They wanted to go somewhere far. Together. But the turtle couldn’t fly.

So he came up with an idea. The two geese could hold the ends of a big stick in their beaks. The turtle could grab the stick in the middle with his own beak since his flippers weren’t very good at holding things. When the geese started to fly, they would carry him along.

So they tried it. And it worked! As they flew high in the air, the turtle was so very proud of his great idea.

Down below there were some onlookers who were absolutely astounded and impressed by what they were seeing. “Look at those amazing geese! Can you believe what they’re doing? What an amazing idea they had! Incredible!”

But the turtle was proud. He didn’t like THEM getting the credit for HIS idea!

So he just had to call down and correct them: “Actually it wasn’t their idea, it was mi…”

But of course, as soon as he opened his beak he plummeted to the ground!

Thud.

I’ve seen a very different versions of this story. I’m not sure of its origins. But it’s a literal demonstration of Proverbs 16:18: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

The turtle just HAD to get the credit. He just HAD to get the glory. And it cost him.

Today, don’t let your ego cost you. Maybe you have a great idea—and no one realizes it was yours. Maybe you do something kind for someone—and no one seems to notice. Maybe you’re generous to a person in need or to a worthy cause—and no one sees.

But that’s okay. God does. God sees.

In 1 Corinthians 10:31, Paul writes, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

We live for GOD’S glory, not our own.

It’s incredibly liberating, actually. Your life is grand—not because you’re so great, but because God is.

Don’t let your ego cost you. “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

By Matthew Ruttan

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.