Consider John the Baptist’s formula for humility: I must decrease; Jesus must increase - Daily Bible Reflections August 13,2015

SELF-AGGRANDIZEMENT   “I gave you a land which you had not tilled and cities which you had not build, to dwell in; you have eaten of vineyards and olive groves you did not plant.” – Joshua 24:13         B.S.S. “Bilib Sa Sarili” — that was the view that I had almost fallen into. In the 11 years that I had operated a manufacturing plant, I took pride in saying that I made windfall profits by improving operations. “Waste control, not cost control.” I thought I made a brilliant move to increase wages and, in the process, motivated the employees to take control of the operational wastages. We attained considerable savings and profits soared.        But our operations had a high production volume because of demand that I did not create. During those years, my competitors used predominantly plastic materials, which was oil-based. When oil prices rose, demand shifted to my products, which was not as adversely affected by the oil price escalations. I realized that high profits would not be possible without high volume, which was God’s blessing. I had no right to brag about my prosperity.        I thanked God for the grace to ascribe to Him what is due to Him. Truly, it is the Lord who allows us to gain prosperity. Rolly España (rolly@homeliving.com.ph)   Reflection: Consider John the Baptist’s formula for humility: I must decrease; Jesus must increase!   Jesus, help me take the EGO out of my life — Edging God Out.   St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe, priest and martyr, pray for us.