In this episode, I reflect on the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector and what it teaches about humility in leadership. This story challenges me to look beyond actions and really examine the posture of my heart.
I talk about how easy it is in education to drift into comparison—comparing classrooms, students, results, and even ourselves. Without realizing it, that can turn into pride or even insecurity, both of which pull us away from what really matters.
This parable reminds me that God is not focused on outward performance but on inward humility. The tax collector’s honesty and humility mattered more than the Pharisee’s outward righteousness, and that’s a powerful reminder for how I show up as a teacher.
At the end of the day, this is about staying grounded, staying real, and leading with humility. When I do that, I create space not only for my own growth but for my students to grow as well.
Show Notes
Sunday School for Teachers reflection
Luke 18:9–14 (Pharisee and tax collector)
Humility vs. comparison in teaching
Heart posture in leadership
Classroom culture and authenticity
Leading with honesty and grace
Key Takeaways
God values humility over outward performance
Comparison can lead to pride or insecurity
Heart posture matters more than appearance
Humility creates space for growth
Teachers set the tone through how they lead
Transcripts
Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve:
This is Mr. Funky Teacher with BeAFunkyTeacher.com. I'm coming to you with another Be a Funky Teacher podcast. Welcome back to Sunday School for Teachers.
Today's episode is called The Pharisee and the Tax Collector — Humility in Leadership.
Before we jump into today's reflection, I want to remind you what Sunday School for Teachers is really about.
This is a space each week for my Christian teacher friends—whether you teach in a public school or a private one—to slow down, breathe, and realign your heart with the One who called you to teach.
I have deep respect for all educators, including those who don't share my faith.
But on Sundays, I intentionally dedicate this episode to openly share how my faith in Jesus shapes me as a teacher—how it grounds me, stretches me, and reminds me that teaching is more than a career. It’s a calling.
And I’m not a preacher—I’m just a teacher, flawed and messy like anyone else, trying to let God work through me.
Because Monday is coming.
And before we jump into another week, we pause here.
We remember who we are.
We remember whose we are.
And we walk into this week anchored.
Before we dive into today’s story, I want to pause and share three things that I’m thankful for.
The first thing that I’m thankful for is moments of reflection—those times when you pause and honestly look at yourself and grow from it.
The second thing that I’m thankful for is people who keep me grounded—the ones who help me stay humble and stay real.
And the third thing that I’m thankful for is growth over perfection—the reminder that I don’t have to have everything figured out. I just need to keep getting better.
Alright, let’s jump into it.
Our story today comes from the book of Luke, chapter 18, verses 9 through 14.
Jesus tells this parable to people who were confident in their own righteousness and looked down on others.
And He paints a picture.
Two men go up to the temple to pray. One is a Pharisee, the other is a tax collector.
Now that contrast matters.
Pharisees were known as religious leaders—respected, disciplined, outwardly righteous.
Tax collectors were seen as dishonest, greedy, and untrustworthy.
So right away, the audience would assume the Pharisee is the good one—and the tax collector is the bad one.
But Jesus flips that expectation.
The Pharisee stands by himself and prays,
“God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.”
Listen to that carefully.
He’s not really talking to God. He’s talking about himself.
He’s comparing. He’s elevating himself by lowering someone else.
Then the tax collector steps forward—but he stands at a distance.
He won’t even look up to heaven.
Instead, he beats his chest and says,
“God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
That’s it.
No list. No comparison.
Just honesty. Just humility.
And Jesus says something surprising.
“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God.”
And then He says the line that defines the whole story:
“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
This story isn’t about behavior alone.
It’s about heart.
The Pharisee looked right on the outside, but inside he was full of comparison, pride, and self-reliance.
The tax collector looked wrong on the outside, but inside he was honest, humble, and dependent on God.
Jesus isn’t impressed by appearance.
He’s looking at posture—heart posture.
So as I reflect on this as an educator, this one hits in a different way.
Because it’s not just about what we do in the classroom.
It’s about what’s going on inside us.
It’s easy in education to compare—my classroom versus theirs, my students versus theirs, my results versus theirs.
And without even realizing it, we can drift into pride, judgment, or even insecurity.
This story pulls us back.
It reminds us to stay humble, stay grounded, and stay honest.
So what does this look like in the classroom?
It means focusing on your own growth instead of comparison.
It means leading with humility.
It means being honest about your struggles and staying grounded in why you teach.
You don’t need to prove yourself.
You don’t need to compare yourself.
You just need to stay real.
Because humility creates space for growth.
And it creates a classroom where students feel safe to grow too.
So as I close—
The Pharisee had the right actions but the wrong posture.
The tax collector had the right posture—and that made all the difference.
And as teachers, it’s not just about what we do.
It’s about how we carry ourselves while we do it.
Will you pray with me?
Lord, help me stay humble in my work.
Help all of us—the funky teachers listening—focus on growth instead of comparison.
When pride creeps in or insecurity shows up, steady us.
Help us lead with humility, honesty, and grace.
And remind us that You care more about our hearts than our performance.
Amen.
And as you go into your day, remember to inspire greatness in young people.
