Your Summer Reading List July 15, 2026 Devotional

10 But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit
at the table with you.
Luke 14:10

In the ancient world there was no such thing as a free gift or invitation. When a host invited someone to a party there was a social expectation that they would then be invited to a party(ies) of their guests. The privileged who could host a party would therefore invite people of equal or better social standing in hopes to gain more honor in their community. The poor or those deemed lessor would not be invited for it would mar the reputation of the host and due to their inability to reciprocate the invitation, would go wasted. Jesus confronts this social order and scheming by honoring the humble. At the very start of the meal and the conversation between Jesus and the Pharisees, He puts this notion on display as He heals a man with dropsy. The love that God has for the left behind is larger than the small thinking of those of self-worth.

Who are you inviting to your table?

Does God need to bring humility into an area in your life?