“Humility treats others fairly.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – September 14, 2026
Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home. Luke 16:9, NLT
Among many attributes, Dolly Parton was humble, wise, and shrewd. Humble not just because she grew up with eleven siblings and was so poor that her parents paid the doctor who delivered her with a sack of cornmeal. She was humble in a deeper sense: comfortable with where she came from and acknowledging God’s inspiration in her life and songwriting. She was wise in her self-awareness: knowing who she was and who she wasn’t. Early in her career, she shrewdly secured ownership of her songs. Who turns down Elvis? Dolly does, because he wanted half the royalties to cover “I Will Always Love You.” No, sir, says the Diva of deals.
Let’s look at three ways Dolly models the ways of the Lord in her life and work:
Humble Collaborator: Dolly never treated her success as a solo act. She celebrated Porter Wagoner, who first put her on television, even as she outgrew his show. She lifted Whitney Houston with “I Will Always Love You” and cheered her on from the wings. She liked to say she never let her rhinestones outshine her roots. The humble collaborator remembers who opened the door and refuses to grasp for glory that belongs to God and to those alongside her. Humility treats others fairly.
Wise Generous Giver: Dolly’s Imagination Library has mailed more than 250 million free books to children worldwide since 1995. She quietly donated $1 million to Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine research. When wildfires devastated the Smokies in 2016, she personally sent $1,000 a month to every displaced family. Wisdom in giving is not just how much but how well: targeted, personal, and often unseen. Observers have long noted that if she had been less generous, she would have been a billionaire.
Shrewd Business Owner: Dolly retained her music publishing rights when most artists surrendered them for a check. That decision ensured “I Will Always Love You” paid her twice. She built Dollywood into a destination employing thousands in Appalachia. Shrewdness is not the opposite of integrity. It is integrity awake and paying attention. As Jesus said, “Be as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). Dolly lived that verse in Nashville.
How can you grow as a humble, wise, and shrewd follower of Jesus? Grow humble by remembering your roots. Grow wise by being a generous giver. Grow shrewd by paying attention without becoming cynical. Ask the Holy Spirit to develop all three in you. Serve humbly, discern wisely, act shrewdly, and love always.
“In humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:3-5).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, form in me the mind of Christ, humble in heart, wise in the Word, shrewd in stewardship. Let me collaborate freely, give generously, and steward faithfully all You entrust. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
Today, name one collaborator to thank publicly, one gift to give quietly, and one asset to steward carefully.
Related Reading
Proverbs 11:2, 22:4; 1 Peter 5:5-6; James 3:17
Worship Resource
Bethel Music: Build My Life
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