Proverbs 16:19

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about winning and humility: 

Proverbs 16:19 (NASBStr)

It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly

Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Proverbs 16:19 (ESV)

It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor

than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Here is a proverb certainly lost on the world.   We are hard pressed to live this proverb out in front of a world where success is measured not so much by the character of the man but the possession and/or positions of the man.   Men love to win and then divide the spoils.  In fact, they actually prefer to win and not divide the spoils, but to keep them for themselves and boast of their accomplishments.   Winning can be a humble and Godly experience.  Solomon is not forbidding winning or securing the spoil.   God often gave His people the spoil after battle (see the entire book of Joshua).   What God is condemning here is that the pride that comes with winning is evil and it is better, if you can't avoid the pride in winning, to live with the humble ... who often did not win.   Solomon is telling us the better place to be:  With the lowly, not the proud.   In James 4:6 we are told that God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.   In Matthew 5:3 are told that the poor in spirit have the kingdom of heaven as their inheritance.  God rewards humility.   He condemns the proud.  Solomon started off this book in Proverbs 1:13-14 showing us that the proud want us to join them and we can all have "one purse."   Yet, it is by humility that we secure God's grace and blessing.   If you can't win with grace and humility you should not be allowed to win.   Winning with humility is the best way to divide the spoils.