Let The Lowly Brother Glory In His Exaltation, But The Rich In His Humiliation
Money & Status In This World Are Temporary
JAMES 1:9-11
“Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.
”James 1:9-11 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/jas.1.9-11.NKJ
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Christianity brings a new dignity to the poor and not-influential people of this world. That dignity should be most apparent in the church, where there shouldn't be any class distinctions.
All believers share the distinction and dignity of being changed by the gospel and being charged by the mission of sharing the Good News with the rest of the world.
Believers know they have dignity before God because Christ died for them.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a great example of this truth. The dignity that she displayed when she realized what God had done for her is seen in her prayer of praise, called the Magnificat (LUKE 1:46-55).
Whatever our situation, social or economic, James challenges us to see beyond it into our eternal advantages.
What we can have in Christ outweighs anything of this world.
Knowing Him gives us our high position, where we find our true identity in Him.
The poor should be glad that neither status or riches in this world mean nothing to God, otherwise these people would be considered unworthy. Furthermore, the rich should be glad that money means nothing to God because it is easily lost and can bring many sorrows (1 TIMOTHY 6:10).
True wealth is found by developing our spiritual life in Christ.
Of course we are responsible to steward our own lives and finances wisely, and are called to invest wisely (MATHEW 25:14-30), that their is a reserve for future storms and the ability to help others in need.
When God blesses one with wealth, He does so with purpose, to forward the ministry and help others.
But having said that, God is more interested in the long-term, our eternal future, not in what is temporary, our money, possession, and status.
Jesus said, ”Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? The sower sows the word. And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”“
Mark 4:13-20 NKJV
We believers need to be deep rooted in the word and strive to treat others as Christ would treat them.
Furthermore, the way we treat others shouldn't be affected by their riches, position, or status.
The things of this world are temporary; “But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
I Timothy 6:11-12 NKJV
It is all too easy for those who have riches, to put their trust in money and status; but the truth is no amount of money or status can buy our salvation; we are saved by faith alone. Therefore, “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches, but rather in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”
I Timothy 6:17-19 NKJV
All glory to God forever and ever. Amen.
