The Hope of the Humble (James 1:9-11)
"What if I told you that our greatest strength is found not in wealth or power, but in weakness and humility? That our highest worth isn't defined by our earthly possessions, but by our relationship with God?"
Today, we find ourselves diving into a portion of Scripture that challenges our conventional notions of success, wealth, and power. We turn to the book of James, a text that contains some of the most countercultural yet profoundly liberating teachings of the New Testament.
James 1:9-11 confronts us with an unexpected paradox - the lowly brother boasts in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation. On the surface, these statements may seem perplexing. How could the poor be exalted, and why would the rich rejoice in their lowliness?
In a world where we are often taught to measure our worth by our wealth, the words of James provide us a startling reality check. We find ourselves living in a society that places immense value on material wealth. The media, the billboards, the lavish lifestyles glorified on screens both big and small—all these encourage us to pursue money, to covet riches, and to view prosperity as the end goal.
As we explore these verses, we will grapple with the misconception that wealth equals worth or that trials are signs of failure. We will delve into the challenging teachings of both James and Paul on the beauty of boasting in our weaknesses. We will envision a future where our riches are not earthly, but heavenly, and where greatness is redefined in the light of servanthood. And ultimately, we will confront the crucial question: What are we truly pursuing in our lives?
Boasting In Lowliness
Friends, today we're going to have to grapple with some uncomfortable truths. If we dig into James 1:9, we find this provocative claim: "Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position." Now, that's a bit of a head-scratcher, isn't it? Doesn't it seem contradictory? Pride in humility? It's like saying rejoice in suffering, or celebrate your lowliness. What is James trying to say here?
The world would tell us, "Bolster yourself! Proclaim your strength! Flaunt your wealth!" We hear it all the time, right? What James is saying seems to run counter to everything we're used to. But friends, isn't that just like the kingdom of God? It turns our world upside down – or maybe more accurately, right-side up.
Let's flip over to 2 Corinthians 11. Here the apostle who penned half the New Testament, who had every reason to boast in his qualifications and spiritual prowess tells us, "If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness." (11:30) He's speaking the same language as James here.
What if true strength isn't about puffing our chests and waving our accomplishments around? What if real strength lies in acknowledging our limitations and depending utterly on God? What if, in our humble circumstances, in our weaknesses, and yes, in our suffering, we find our true exaltation?
In our culture, we're taught to hide our weaknesses, to cover up our failures, but James and Paul are pointing us in a different direction. They're saying, "Boast in your weakness, in your lowly state, because it's there that God's power is perfected in you."
We don't boast about our accomplishments or our wealth. No, we boast about our weaknesses. Friends, the essence of the Christian life isn't self-promotion, but self-surrender. Our boasting isn't in what we have, but in who has us. We boast in the Lord. To boast in our lowliness is not to relish in self-pity or despair but to acknowledge our reliance on God. It is to understand that our real strength lies not in our own abilities, possessions, or status, but in God's grace. We boast, not because of our own achievements, but because in our weakness, God's strength is magnified.
In short, we can boast, not in our worldly state, but in God's power at work within us, especially during our trials. This is a boast of humility and faith, a declaration of our hope in the promises of God. It is not the world's way, but it is the way of the kingdom. And in this, we can find true strength and joy.
So, should we be boasting? Yes, but let's make sure we're boasting about the right things. Let's boast in our weaknesses so that our accomplishments are seen as a boast in the Lord. Because at the end of the day, it's not about us. It's all about Him.
Boast In Humiliation
Okay, let's jump ahead to verse 10. James throws another curve ball at us: "But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower." Pride in humiliation? Is this another paradox, like rejoicing in suffering?
The question then arises, what is this humiliation that James refers to? Is it financial ruin? Or is it something deeper? To understand this, we must first acknowledge that riches, in themselves, are not condemned in the Bible. Rather, it's the attachment to these riches, the dependence on them for security and identity that is critiqued. There's nothing inherently evil about riches. The problem arises when we start trusting in our wealth more than we trust in God. When we start to think that our bank account determines our worth. When we start to believe that we can do it all on our own, that we don't need God.
When James speaks of the rich person taking pride in his low position, he is suggesting that we must detach our identities from our wealth and embrace a state of humility. This humble state acknowledges that earthly wealth is transient, it is like the wildflower that blooms beautifully but fades away under the scorching sun.
Jesus painted a similar picture in his teachings. The rich young ruler (Matthew 19:16-22), unable to let go of his wealth to follow Christ, presents a striking example of the dangers of a heart tied to riches. And then we see the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:13-21), who stores up earthly treasures only to die suddenly, leaving behind all his accumulated wealth.
As Jesus points out, "What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" (Matthew 16:26). The key is to shift our focus from acquiring earthly wealth to accumulating treasures in heaven.
Moreover, in the Kingdom of Heaven, the paradigms of greatness are flipped upside down. Jesus taught, "whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave" (Matthew 20:26-27). Here, greatness is redefined not by one's possessions but by one's service and sacrifice, underlining a radical departure from worldly measures of success.
James echoes this when he says the rich should take pride in their humiliation. It's not about embracing poverty or reveling in hardship. It's about understanding that our true worth is found in Christ, not in our bank account. It's about humbling ourselves, recognizing that we're nothing without God. All our riches and accomplishments are as worthless as paperweights unless we use them to serve God faithfully.
To sum up, when the rich 'boast in humiliation,' it's a conscious decision to rejoice in the knowledge that their identity is rooted in Christ, not in their wealth. It's the understanding that earthly riches are fleeting, while treasures in heaven are eternal. It's the commitment to a future shaped by servitude and sacrifice, as exemplified by Jesus, the greatest in the Kingdom.
So, what are we aiming for? What's our goal? Is it to amass more wealth? To climb the social ladder? Or is it to grow in our faith, to serve others, to glorify God with our lives? We are reminded to focus not on the material, transient things of this world, but on the lasting, spiritual treasures. We are encouraged to see beyond the present and to envision a future rooted in faith, service, and eternal life with God.
What Do We Pursue?
Let's push into verse 11 now. Here's what James says, "For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business." You're catching onto the theme here, right? That our earthly riches and pursuits, in the end, are fleeting, just like a flower under the scorching sun.
But isn't it easy for us to lose sight of this truth? We live in a culture that constantly screams at us to acquire more, to do more, to be more. The world tells us, "Your worth is tied to your wealth. Your value is tied to your success." But friends, this is a hollow and deceptive philosophy.
You see, the more we chase after these worldly things, the more we realize they cannot satisfy us. They can't give us true joy or peace. They can't provide us with a sense of purpose or fulfillment. And they certainly can't save us.
Look, there's nothing wrong with wanting to be successful or comfortable. The problem comes when these things become our idols, when we start pursuing them instead of God. And let me tell you, they're sneaky. They creep into our hearts without us even realizing it.
Think about it. What are we pursuing today? Is it wealth? Fame? Success? And at what cost? Are we sacrificing our time with God, our relationships, our peace of mind?
Jesus asked, "What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" (Matthew 16:26). What a poignant question. We can have all the riches in the world, but without God, it means nothing.
So, where should our focus be? Where should we be investing our time, our energy, our resources? It's in our relationship with God. It's in seeking His kingdom first, in loving Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. It's in living out His commands, loving our neighbors as ourselves. It's in realizing that our ultimate purpose, our ultimate fulfillment, can only be found in Christ.
Friends, let's examine our hearts today. Let's ask ourselves, "What am I pursuing?" And if we find that our pursuits are not in line with God's will, let's make a U-turn. Let's seek God first, and everything else will fall into place.
Remember, our riches, our successes, they're all fleeting. They will fade away like a wildflower under the scorching sun. But God, He is eternal. His love for us is everlasting. His kingdom is unshakable. And it's in Him that we find our true worth, our true security, and our true power.
May we strive to pursue Him above all else. May we live for His glory and not our own. And may we find our ultimate satisfaction, not in the things of this world, but in Christ alone. Because at the end of the day, He is all that matters.
Why?
I want to pause for a moment. I want us to dig a little deeper into these pursuits because this might be the most important idea we could hear about. I want us to ask ourselves why. Why do we so often find ourselves tying our worth, our security, our power into things like wealth, success, popularity?
You see, it's easy for us to nod our heads at James' words, to say, "Yes, I shouldn't pursue riches over God." But then, we go right back to living the same way. Why? Because there's something deeper going on in our hearts. There's something deeper that we're seeking.
We seek wealth because we think it will give us security. "If I just have enough in the bank," we say, "then I'll be safe. Then I'll be secure. Then I can rest easy." But friends, how often does that actually happen? How often do we reach that point where we say, "Okay, I have enough. I can stop striving now." Rarely, if ever. Why? Because wealth is a shaky foundation. It can be here one day and gone the next. Our only true security is found in God, the One who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
We seek success because we think it will give us worth. "If I just accomplish this," we say, "then I'll be valuable. Then I'll be significant. Then people will respect me." But again, this is a hollow pursuit. Our worth isn't determined by what we do, but by who we are. And who are we? We are children of God, loved by Him, chosen by Him, precious in His sight. That's where our true worth lies.
We seek popularity because we think it will give us power. "If I just have enough followers," we say, "then I'll have influence. Then I'll have control. Then I can make a difference." But true power doesn't come from the number of likes or shares we get on social media. It comes from the Holy Spirit living in us, empowering us to live godly lives and make a Kingdom impact.
You see, at the root of all these pursuits is a desire for control. We want to be in charge. We want to call the shots. We don't want to depend on anyone else. But friends, this is an illusion. We're not in control. God is. And the sooner we can surrender to His control, the sooner we can experience true freedom, true peace, true joy.
So, as we go about our lives this week, let's examine our hearts. Let's ask ourselves: What am I really seeking when I chase after wealth, success, popularity? Am I seeking security, worth, power? If so, let's remind ourselves of the truth: our ultimate security, worth, and power come from God, not from the things of this world. And let's ask God to help us seek Him first, to find our satisfaction in Him alone, because only He can truly satisfy.
Friends, let's not settle for the counterfeit joys of this world. Let's pursue the real thing. Let's pursue God. Because in Him, we have everything we need. In Him, we are rich beyond measure.
Focus On Christ
Friends, as we conclude today, let's zoom out and look at the big picture. The heart of this message, the crux of what James is driving at, is a call to a Christ-centered life. A life where our boast is not in our worldly accomplishments or material possessions, but in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
You see, Jesus is the ultimate example of what we've been talking about today. He is the epitome of humility, the epitome of sacrifice. He was the King of kings, the Lord of lords. He had all the riches of heaven at His disposal. Yet, He chose to become poor and weak. He chose to step down from His throne, to be born in a stable, to live a life of service, and to die a criminal's death on a cross.
But why? Why would He do such a thing? It was for us, friends. It was so that through His poverty, we might become rich. Rich in grace, rich in mercy, rich in eternal life.
And here's the beautiful part: Jesus was exalted, not by men, but by God Himself. God raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion. And it is in this exalted Jesus that we boast.
So, friends, as we navigate through the trials of life, let us remember to look to Christ. In our lowliness, let us boast in our exalted position in Him. In our prosperity, let us humble ourselves, remembering that our riches are fleeting, but the richness of His love is everlasting.
Let us focus less on the temporary things of this world, and more on the eternal things of God. Let us strive not to accumulate more wealth, but to accumulate more of Christ. Let us pursue not worldly success, but heavenly treasure. Let's not live for the applause of men, but for the applause of heaven. Let's not seek our own glory, but the glory of God. And let's remember that our ultimate worth, our ultimate security, our ultimate power, can only be found in Christ.
God bless you, friends. Let's go and live this out. Amen.