Welcome to the Paul Tripp podcast, where pastor and bestselling author Dr. Paul David Tripp

connects the transforming power of Jesus Christ to everyday life.

If you were employed by Jesus to find 12 of the most qualified candidates to be his

closest ministry partners.

Who would you choose?

In today's episode, we'll continue through Paul's series in Mark,

and today, Paul explains how Levi the Tax Collector would not make any of our lists,

and how our attitudes are self-righteously similar to the scribes who question Jesus' decision.

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Now here's Paul with this message from the Gospel of Mark.

It is a universal problem that doesn't seem to escape any of us.

I wish I could say it hasn't been my problem.

It's the problem of self-righteousness.

Self-righteousness seems to be no respecter of persons.

It can have that buttoned down, theological, conservative, arrogance.

I know more than you know.

And if you were as theological as I am, you would be as spiritual as I am.

It may take the form of looking down on someone who doesn't appear to be as spiritually mature as you are.

It could take the form of a parent who says something like this to your child.

I can't believe that you would do such a thing.

Why, in my day, I would have never thought of doing such a thing.

Essentially, what you're saying to your child is your problem is,

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