The Man Who Gave Away the World Wide Web

In 1989, a British scientist named Tim Berners-Lee invented something that would reshape human civilization — the World Wide Web. He designed the protocols, wrote the first browser, and built the first website at CERN. Industry analysts have estimated that had he patented his invention, his personal fortune could have rivaled the wealthiest people on earth.

He gave it all away for free.

Berners-Lee insisted the Web remain open and available to every person on the planet. He has said repeatedly that the Web's power comes from its universality — restricting access would have destroyed the very thing that made it transformative.

There is something profoundly Christlike in that instinct. Paul wrote to the Philippians about Jesus, who "did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing" (Philippians 2:6-7). The Creator of the universe emptied Himself — not because He lacked worth, but because His purpose was bigger than His position.

Humility is not thinking less of yourself. It is thinking of yourself less — and thinking more about what your gifts were meant to accomplish. Berners-Lee understood that holding tightly to his invention would strangle its purpose. Jesus understood that holding tightly to His glory would leave us unredeemed.

What are you gripping so tightly today that it cannot fulfill its true purpose?