Magnanimity and humility?

SingularityOne · Jul 18, 2020

How does one reconcile these two virtues together without slipping into self-pity or pride?

I want to become magnanimous, but I need examples of this.

Christ is "the magnanimous man" and the Saints are magnanimous men, but I want to learn what this looks like considering the time we are living in. As Christians, I believe we are called to be magnanimous in humility by enduring suffering with joy like Christ, as it says in Hebrews 12:2: "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

What does it mean to "despise the shame" in this verse? I think it has to do with magnanimity, but I'm unsure.

Dansiph · Jul 19, 2020

SingularityOne said:
How does one reconcile these two virtues together without slipping into self-pity or pride?

I want to become magnanimous, but I need examples of this.

Christ is "the magnanimous man" and the Saints are magnanimous men, but I want to learn what this looks like considering the time we are living in. As Christians, I believe we are called to be magnanimous in humility by enduring suffering with joy like Christ, as it says in Hebrews 12:2: "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

What does it mean to "despise the shame" in this verse? I think it has to do with magnanimity, but I'm unsure.

I think if you seek to please Jesus and not man or yourself you won't slip into self-pity or pride. Also I think a good example of being magnanimous is David in 1 Samuel 24

I just finished 1 Samuel in my reading so it was fresh in my memory. I think (and this is just my thoughts) everything Jesus did was magnanimous. We don't deserve his mercy.

Not David · Jul 19, 2020

A problem to consider is humble-bragging.

ArmyMatt · Jul 19, 2020

Not David said:
A problem to consider is humble-bragging.

which is a nasty form of pride.

SingularityOne · Jul 20, 2020

Aspzan said:
I think if you seek to please Jesus and not man or yourself you won't slip into self-pity of pride. Also I think a good example of being magnanimous is David in 1 Samuel 24

I just finished 1 Samuel in my reading so it was fresh in my memory. I think (and this is just my thoughts) everything Jesus did was magnanimous. We don't deserve his mercy.

Thanks for this. So it’s about fearing God above fearing man?

I’ll read this soon, thanks!

SingularityOne · Jul 20, 2020

ArmyMatt said:
which is a nasty form of pride.

Could you give an example of this?

it seems like humility encompasses magnanimity, but is there a distinction at all?

ArmyMatt · Jul 21, 2020

SingularityOne said:
Could you give an example of this?

it seems like humility encompasses magnanimity, but is there a distinction at all?

true humility or magnanimity always focuses on the other as other. whereas pride always focuses on the self.

Dansiph · Jul 21, 2020

SingularityOne said:
Thanks for this. So it’s about fearing God above fearing man?

I’ll read this soon, thanks!

I'd say it's more about where your focus is and your priorities rather than fear in this case.

SingularityOne · Jul 21, 2020

Aspzan said:
I'd say it's more about where your focus is and your priorities rather than fear in this case.

Interesting... do you mind expounding on that more in regards to focus and priorities? Not sure I understand.

icxn · Jul 21, 2020

SingularityOne said:
...I want to become magnanimous, but I need examples of this.

Quote:

An old man and a brother lived their life together. Now the old man was charitable. It happened that there was a famine and the people came to his door seeking alms, and in charity the old man gave to all who came. Seeing what was happening, the brother said to the old man, "Give me my share of the loaves, and do what you like with yours." The old man divided the loaves and gave alms from his share.

Now many people hastened to the old man, learning that he supplied everyone, and God -- seeing that he supplied everyone -- blessed his loaves. But when the brother had consumed his own food he said to the old man, "Since I have only a little food left, Abba, take me back into the common life again." The old man said, "I will do as you wish." So they began to again to live in common.

When scarcity came again, the needy came back seeking alms. Now one day the brother came in and saw they were short of loaves. A poor man came, and the old man told the brother to give him alms. He said, "It is no longer possible, father." The old man said to him, "Go in and look." The brother went inside and found the bin full of loaves. When he saw that, he was filled with fear, and taking some he gave to the poor. In this way he learned the faith and virtue of the old man, and he gave glory to God. " - The Desert Fathers

Magnanimity (and faith) was at work when the elder gave to all who asked, despite their shortage of bread; humility when he did not refuse the brother his share and especially when he received him back into the common life.

Dansiph · Jul 21, 2020

SingularityOne said:
Interesting... do you mind expounding on that more in regards to focus and priorities? Not sure I understand.

I just mean that God should be our priority and focus. As a result you won't be prideful or have self-pity etc.

ArmyMatt · Jul 21, 2020

Aspzan said:
I just mean that God should be our priority and focus. As a result you won't be prideful or have self-pity etc.

this

SingularityOne · Jul 21, 2020

icxn said:
Quote:

An old man and a brother lived their life together. Now the old man was charitable. It happened that there was a famine and the people came to his door seeking alms, and in charity the old man gave to all who came. Seeing what was happening, the brother said to the old man, "Give me my share of the loaves, and do what you like with yours." The old man divided the loaves and gave alms from his share.

Now many people hastened to the old man, learning that he supplied everyone, and God -- seeing that he supplied everyone -- blessed his loaves. But when the brother had consumed his own food he said to the old man, "Since I have only a little food left, Abba, take me back into the common life again." The old man said, "I will do as you wish." So they began to again to live in common.

When scarcity came again, the needy came back seeking alms. Now one day the brother came in and saw they were short of loaves. A poor man came, and the old man told the brother to give him alms. He said, "It is no longer possible, father." The old man said to him, "Go in and look." The brother went inside and found the bin full of loaves. When he saw that, he was filled with fear, and taking some he gave to the poor. In this way he learned the faith and virtue of the old man, and he gave glory to God. " - The Desert Fathers

Magnanimity (and faith) was at work when the elder gave to all who asked, despite their shortage of bread; humility when he did not refuse the brother his share and especially when he received him back into the common life.

Thanks for this. Sounds like generosity and forgiveness combined with humility.

SingularityOne · Jul 21, 2020

Aspzan said:
I just mean that God should be our priority and focus. As a result you won't be prideful or have self-pity etc.

Ah, I see. This makes more sense. Thanks!

Magnanimity and humility?

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