Note 1 at Mt. 18:2: It is interesting that Jesus used a little child to illustrate humility. Although it is true that little children have a purity and humility that is many times missing in adults, they certainly are not selfless. A child comes into the world totally self-centered, wanting what he wants when he wants it. Parents are to train children out of this self-centeredness.

The trait that Jesus is more likely referring to is a child's dependence on others. A child may be self-centered but is certainly not self-sufficient. One of humility's dominant characteristics is a God-dependency and not a self- sufficiency (see note 1 at Lk. 9:46, p. 215).