The other day while at a Bible study, my friend, Roger (who’s also the leader), pointed out this verse in James:
“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.” -James 1:9
That’s a stretch to understand, at least for me. Breaking it down, though, I think it reveals how the rich and poor should serve others in each of their positions.
- Lowly (or poor) people should live like rich people, recognizing all the blessings God has given even though they’re poor.
- Rich people should live like poor people, focusing on how much they need God even though they’re rich.
In other words, the poor person ministers to others by showing off the blessings God’s given, and the rich person ministers to others by showing off the worthlessness of riches.
Which made me think, which am I? Which are you? In serving others, do you feel like you’re the poor person or the rich person?
Which is your ministry? How are you called to serve?
Serving Suggestions:
(1) Consider which you are, poor or rich. Which position are you in life right now (it doesn’t necessarily have to relate to money here).
(2) Consider which ministry you have. Are you supposed to show everyone how amazing your life is even though it “shouldn’t” be amazing (poor person)? Or are you supposed to show everyone how worthless riches are and how in need of God you are even though you “shouldn’t” need Him (rich person)?
(3) Leave a comment with your answer from (1) and (2). Discuss.
Twitter Updates
Can I say both? I feel like a rich person but most often people, mostly friends, tell me that my “struggles” make them see the Glory of God (or something like that). This could be one of those topics where you feel one way, but depending on who you ask or who you surround yourself with you’re really the other. Or could everyone have some level of rich and poor within them?
Yes, I’m feeling both too. Like you said, it’s a matter of perspective. Around some people, you might be the rich – around others, you might be the poor.
Which makes sense since serving is all about meeting people’s individual needs. One size rarely (never?) fits all.
-Marshall Jones Jr.
I’m with Sarah on this one. I would say both? But I am learning how to glorify God in either case
That’s the trick: learning to glorify God in either case.
-Marshall Jones Jr.
This is a thought-provoking post. I feel that rich or poor we should be grateful for everything we have. Without the breath of life in-itself we would have no capacity for happiness to begin with.
Thanks for the compliment. I totally agree. I’m a thankfulness fanatic. No matter what we’re doing, it should always be motivated by thankfulness.
-Marshall Jones Jr.
Just like that scripture is deep so is your post. I will have to think it over and come back later and leave my answer.
Yeah, it’s pretty tense – and a verse I hadn’t really considered before a couple nights ago. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it, David.
-Marshall Jones Jr.