Pride is an attitude and a barrier between us and God. So, more accurately than being sin, pride leads to sin.
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). This answers your question.
Who are the Rich?
The Bible often discusses the concept of ‘rich men ‘. While in contemporary terms, being rich may refer to someone with a lot of money or possessions, in biblical terms, it also refers to a prideful man as a ‘rich’ man. This usage speaks to the arrogance that characterizes the wealthy, regardless of their material wealth.
Jesus taught His disciples that that haughty attitude made it impossible for someone ‘to enter the kingdom of God!’:
“Children (the twelve disciples), how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
They were astonished beyond measure, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?” (Mark 10:24-26).
c
Jesus meant a sewing needle (as used in His time) and a (thousand pound) camel! And He meant not possible. Jesus, however, added that God can make the impossible possible and save rich men, probably by humbling them.
The stark contrast to Biblical pride is humility:
“But He (God) gives more grace. For this reason it (the Old Testament) says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble…. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:6, 10).
The Bible gives several illustrations of the humility God requires.
***Children – During Bible times, children had little social status. So, when Jesus tells us to have the faith of a child, he means to come with empty hands:
“Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall not enter it” (Mark 10:15).
***A blind man named Bartimaeus – A blind man also pictures lowly status. As Jesus passed through Jericho, Bartimaeus cried out to Jesus for mercy and even threw off his garment, symbolizing everything he had in this world, showing his complete faith in Jesus:
“Throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus” (Mark 10:50).
***The widow’s mite – Widows had a low status in Jesus’ time. This poor widow gave two mites, everything she had as an offering to God. The rich had come and put in much, but Jesus said,
“Truly I say to you (His disciples), this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury” (Mark 12:43).
Who Celebrates a Day of Slaughter?
Pride leads us to mistreat others. Jesus calls the rich (prideful) to ‘weep and howl’ instead of condemning and killing the righteous and living “in pleasure on the earth” and … “(nourishing) your hearts as in a day of slaughter” (James 5:1-6).
Summary- Is Pride a Sin?
Pride is an attitude that leads to sin.
A rich man cannot enter the kingdom of God.
The stark contrast to Biblical pride is humility.
The Bible uses children, the blind, and widows to illustrate humility.
The prideful rich celebrate in “a day of slaughter.”
“Do you see a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope for a fool than for him” (Proverbs 26:12).
