The Richness Of Being His

⁹ Now the brother or sister of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position;¹⁰ but the rich person is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. ¹¹ For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so also, the rich person, in the midst of his pursuits, will die out.

A Different Kind of Richness 

If I were asked to pull up a Bible verse that encompasses the justness of God, these verses would undoubtedly come to mind. In a way, these verses are sort of arestatement of Matthew 23:11-12 when I think about it. Some may ask, well, how is it just that the rich would be humbled in their own frailty? Did not the rich person work diligently and thoroughly to establish their riches? Were they not humbled enough throughout the process that led to their wealth? Was it not God who brought them to their riches? As a Christian, then, is being rich unholy? So much so that you should rejoice in humiliation?

For a generation like ours, I know there may be many questions that come to mind as we read these verses. For most of my life, no matter what path I was on, second to obtaining as many degrees as I possibly could, there was always this sense of confidence and security that I would one day become wealthy. To this day, it isn't something I really even dream about, because it has been ingrained into my vision of success. In my "rational" mind, the work I put in will amount to wealth one way or another. As I reexamine this feeling, I am confident that it has been God all along, impressing that sensation on my heart. However, my understanding was premature. I am learning that the wealth that I once imagined I would obtain through success has less to do with money and more to do with my nearness to Christ. All these years, I thought that my wealth would be found in monetary riches, so I chased them... in ways I still do. But more and moreeach day, I realize how much I've been thinking about it wrong. Humble circumstances have their way of pushing you to see and learn the truth. Because of my experiences through humble circumstances, I have learned that it is through the work He has set before me that more of Him is revealed. As I am challenged, I draw closer to Him for answers, advice, discernment, peace, and wisdom. But what happens when you have all that you want and all that you need? When humble circumstances are no longer a reality you encounter, do you still rely on the Lord? What happens when you think you have it figured out because you'vegone through enough, learned enough, because you've obtained so much? A reminder is provided for us here in these verses. For those in humble circumstances, there is hope, and for those in high positions, there is a call to humility and repentance. For both the rich and poor in spirit and in circumstances, these words remind us where true glory comes from: the only one who was and is and is to come, who does not perish, our omnipotent God who gives graciously and kindly takes away, our Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus Christ.

Rich & Wrong??? 

Where I am today as a Christian, I fear becoming wealthy. It's not the kind of fear that makes me no longer want it; instead, it's a kind of fear that comes from a growing awareness of how easily I could become rich and live wrong. That's not to say that I am living perfectly righteous just because I am in humble circumstances currently, but in all honesty, I don't have the bandwidth to know what unrighteousness would look like when money is no longer a problem for me. For instance, I am currently probably in one of the lowest financial seasons that I have ever been in. However, even though I have had moments where I was angry and resentful toward the Lord, I am constantly being pushed closer to him as I cling for support, hope, encouragement, and all else. In other words, He is my strength in this season because when times are hard, nothing else can fulfill me other than Him. Therefore, my struggle presses me closer and closer to Him. But I wonder if I had everything I needed, where would I turn during trivial times? Would it be to my banker, my assistant, or perhaps toward my own strategy? Would I believe that I have all the power and authority to figure it out on my own and forget who my strength comes from in that moment? As a woman, and simply as someone who has been self-reliant for most of my life, I have to ask myself the truth of that question, and when I think about the answer, I realize that I have got a lot of room left for building up before God blesses me with more. I would hate to handle my riches unrighteously. And it's crazy to say, truly, because struggling is so heavily weighted for me, but I would rather remain in humble circumstances and find glory in my high position with Christ, than to be rich and lost, rich and needing, rich and longing for something more that I lost in my lack of humility, which is Jesus.

I always get these videos from this guy who interviews some of the richest people in the world millionaires and billionaires. A couple of times, he would ask a question along the lines of, " Is everyone cut out for the life you are living, or is everyone meant to be rich?" Honestly speaking, sometimes I wonder if the answer no is true for me because deep down I do not want to work as hard as some of those people, in a way that can seem like bondage...But other times, I think more deeply about the sacrifices, the time, commitment, and focus that the hustle demands, and I wonder if it would be worth taking that path for me. I don't think I'm cut out for the months where I have to miss church, to no longer have time to pray, or do my devotionals. I mean, in my humble circumstances alone, I struggle to spend intimate time with the Lord, so it makes me truly wonder, would a life chasing riches actually be for me? Is that what worth it for me? At this present moment, I find that my answer is no. Not because it isn't possible to love God and steward our gifts well, but because God calls some of us to some things and others to others.

Where Is Your Heart? 

Before we talk about the rich, I want to focus on the first part of verse 9, where it talks about those who are in humble circumstances. In the KJV of the Bible, the words used to describe those in humble circumstances are [brothers of low degree]. It is fair to assume that James is addressing the impoverished, since that would be the proper negation of the rich whom he later discusses. However, I suspect that James is addressing more than just the impoverished monetarily.  

The Greek word that was used in verse 9 is ταπεινός: tapeinos, meaning humble, or lowly. In its strong exhaustive concordance, it could also be defined as cast down, of uncertain derivation; depressed, (figuratively) humiliated, and of low degree (estate).  tapeinós used as an adjective, describes being properly low; (figuratively) such as inner lowliness describing a person who depends on the Lord rather than themself. 

In other words, the verse is saying let the people who have been cast down, of uncertain derivation, depressed, humiliated, and of low degree, let those individuals who feel estranged by this world find glory in their high position, as born-again believers called to the true riches of being heirs of God. What James is explaining in these verses would be striking to many, considering the historical context where most would have believed that the rich were the ones who had divine favor, through their obedience and works they would be blessed. In turn, those who suffered were deemed disobedient, perceived as though there was something spiritually wrong with them, since those who God was pleased with were blessed materially. James is explaining that by the virtue of Jesus, those who were perceived as the least here on earth are actually the richest in the eyes of their Father. Who the world judged through external circumstances, status, wealth, and prosperity, who the world considered spiritually unwell, downright, broke, and disadvantaged; the Lord calls heirs of His own. Even though over 2,000 years have passed since Biblical times, some things have only changed form as they remain the same...

Now, before you start to get offended, this isn't meant to be a knock at the rich or prospering. I promise I'm not counting you out, and neither is James or Jesus. So, you can be assured that isn't my intention. Let us examine what is being said here about the rich. The Greek word used by James for rich is ploútos, which can also be described as abundant, properly or fully resourced, rich, or having God's muchness in terms of resources. The problem isn't being rich in money. Richness itself isn't the sin. Rather, it can be a marker, or an indicator, something that reveals what could be going on in the heart. Think about being rich as having a cold. You might not have COVID, but you should still wear a mask as a precaution. Consider this message a firm reminder to put on your mask when you have a cold. In these verses, James is saying that the rich man should exercise glory, which is defined by the Greek word doxa: δόξα, also meaning honor, splendor, or majesty. As an action, it is to give honor, praise, and acknowledgment in humiliation. Recall the definition I described earlier, except in this context; it isn't being discussed externally. Instead, it is speaking to the heart of those who are rich externally but internally suffer from symptoms such as pride, arrogance, self-righteousness, and self-reliance. It says that they should be properly low, humble, and dependent on the Lord rather than themselves. If you think about it, James is playing well with his game on words here as he addresses both the internal and external conditions of God's people. That is why I call this message just. It says those who are high and mighty on the outside should remember to be lowly and humble on the inside, and those who are humble and lowlyon the outside should know that they are high and mighty on the inside. It is a call to balance for all of God's children that points them back to Him.

There is something about having everything you want and ever prayed for that encourages the enemy to prowl around, to fight harder to make sure that you lose hold of who gave it to you, and who the glory belongs to. In biblical times, the enemy played on the hearts of the Pharisees, convincing them that it was their own works, favor, and merit that earned them their riches, pushing the Lord to the back of their hearts and their performance to the front. There is this saying that I am also a culprit of repeating that goes "Nobody helped me get here, I got here on my own." Now I hope and trust that many of us who repeat this phrase are not excluding also God, but I do think it is an indicator that should call us into deep reflection about ourselves. Today we live in a hustle culture where our adequacy is measured by our ability to produce. In my experience, I have said these words out of anger, resentment, truth, and simply a desire to highlight the work that I tirelessly put in toward a given accomplishment. But the glory has never been mine to own; God has always been the supplier and the source. I am reminded of Saul, who lost hold of his anointing, and about the 9 lepers who never returned to thank Jesus for their healing. What happened to them did not happen overnight; it was gradual, through a single thought that festered, or a statement that was partially true, or a perhaps favor that was partially understood. I did it, I worked hard, I got there at the right moment, I, I, I... before Jesus...

How Bad Do You Want It?

This is an unpopular opinion that I am going to say here from a place of love and conviction. Despite what man-made prosperity gospel teaches, the truth is not all of us are going to inherit monetary riches on this earth, and no one is exempt from that possibility. I think in reality, we are confronted with this truth every day, but pride tells us that we are above it, that it could never be us. That if we are obedient enough, spiritual enough, if we produce enough, then it is guaranteed to us. But the truth is that thought has a little bit of a Pharisee mindset mixed into it, give me grace as I say this. There are SOME of us who God will entrust and provide with monetary riches on this earth, some will handle them righteously, and others unrighteously. But all of God's children will inherit the riches that are found in Him. The ones that keep us sustained, the ones that are timeless and meaningful, the ones that shape us, and keep us living life, no matter what circumstances we face here on earth. God loves us each uniquely, so specific, yet shared, with no partiality. It can be such a distraction to focus our lives on obtaining. Idols can be found in every form. As much as God entrusts some of us with riches, He entrusts all of us with something. Particular and specific to His will, and our lives. Some of us will be entrusted with trials that will lead us toward righteousness; some routes that riches may have kept us from. I don't know why God chooses some and not others. I don't know what tips the scale, what characteristics He chooses from, what He knits with us in our mother's womb, but the truth is He does it with intention and love. I fear that this truth will divide our generation's belief. One that is on the rise in their pursuits of wealth, fame, success, and fortune. To some, hearing that they could never, would never experience richness on this earth cuts so deep that they would walk away from the faith as a whole. This hurts my heart. I can't imagine what it would do to the Lord's. This truth, for some of us, leads to resentment, anger, animosity, and even division. For some hopelessness, a lack of purpose, vision, and determination. But I want us to ask ourselves why? Why do we feel like that even when we know the promises that God has shared with us? I suspect it could be some sort of a faith problem, but it could also be a preference problem, a trauma problem, a fear problem, an identity problem, and so much more. 

Recently, I was talking to a loved one, and they shared that in one of their Bible classes, the discussion of heaven came up. In this lecture, he was very unappealed by heaven. In his words, it seemed boring. A bunch of us singing in praises to the Lord didn't seem very amusing to this young man, who found no joy in singing. While there are layers of responses for him in terms of what actual joy awaits us there. My understanding of his comment, as crazy as it sounds, is that it is more common than we think. In the hearts of believers and unbelievers, this truth is common to many. Sometimes what God has for us doesn't really sound or seem that amusing. Not because we don't believe in a God who exists, but because we lack the belief that what He desires for us could actually begreater than the reality that we want for ourselves. "Yeah God, I love you, and perseverance sounds cool, but I would rather enjoy my life and not go through struggles that make me stronger." "Yeah, God service sounds cool, but I don't want to give up my riches and walk away from my sins and pleasures". For me personally, to this day, I am terribly afraid of death because I literally cannot fathom what awaits me there. Could it actually be better than breathing, living, and being with my loved ones here on earth forever?

I think for me, I struggle with it because there are still gaps in my faith. Growing up here on this earth is all that I have ever known. Yeah, life has its struggles, and trust; I have had my fair share of considering whether or not it was worth it. But I can't imagine not having it. Not living it anymore. I have only seen what I understand thus far. But I say there has got to be a gap in my faith because I still struggle to believe that death could be considered a high position. After all, I have grieved, and the pain that I have witnessed and know to be real around the topic, everything about that feels low. So, I settle for my preference, hoping that God just blesses me with more life. My mind tells me that if it does not look like what I have imagined, could it be true that it is actually better? How can I know that it will? What if it isn't? Sis, these are real questions and wrestles that you can bring to the Lord.

Sometimes when I juggle with unanswered questions and feelings like this, I pause, reflect, and ask myself..." how easily could the enemy use this to pull me away from God's will?" Imagine if God had already decided that financial wealth would not be the center of your life, but instead He planned for you to become a local pastor who is the anchor for your community and has just enough for your family and your life. Not too much, and not too little, but just enough because the Lord knows exactly what you need, because it is He who sustains you. What happens then, when you can't take your mind off of making 20 million before 30, how can you ever have the heart or desire to step into your assignment? What if He meant for you to encounter wealth through the way that you minister, but all you can think about is your dreams, aspirations, and plans? I know we like to credit it mostly to the enemy when things don't go our way, but the truth is, God is the orchestrator of our lives. And we have the free will to say yes or no to Him, to step into the covenant we have made with Him, knowing that the strength will come from Him. We might not get all the questions that we have answered, but we will have everything that we need along the way. God isn't always going to give us everything we want, and as long as we treat Him like the genie, we want Him to be, our relationship with Him will continue to be at odds. Lemme be real, sis, sometimes it has less to do with the enemy and more to do with our displeasure with what God wills for our life. But it's okay to feel like that, especially when it feels like none of it makes sense to you. You can take that wrestle to God. He knows what's on your heart, and He loves you enough for you to share it with Him.

What the enemy does is prowl around these areas that are still being strengthened, using them as a means to taunt you and deceive you. Instead, he'll encourage you to go back to fighting with everything that you have, to use all your strength to live according to your will, to what's more comfortable, what makes more sense, even if you know already that doing that is your personal hell. He'll set you up in a battle that you've exhausted, convincing you that your way is better, because God's way is "unpromising." 

He'll be overjoyed, watching you be tormented and torn away from God, convincing you that God doesn't want any better for you, that your preference is more rewarding. Before you know it, a little doubt, a little preference, is a little bit he'll use it to tear you away point by point. Closer toward resentment, toward hatred, toward animosity, toward defeat. I know it sounds spiritual and all sis, but 1 Peter 5:8 says "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." John 10:10 says the "thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. "

But Jesus, oh thank you Lord, 

Jesus has come that we may have life and have it to the fullest. 

What the Lord has for us has taken our entire life into consideration. Beginning to end, take a moment to consider this truth. When I say He knows what is better, it is because all the times we ask ourselves, "Dang, if I had not done this or that, if only I did this or that", God looks down at us with love and grace, knowing all of that. Having plans for us that are good, that are rooted in His love and deep compassion for His beloved, us. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. That's the truth of God; the enemy's lies have no dominion when you have God with you.

This isn't just about money and wealth. If you've been struggling on your grind, in your career, on your path, I want you to think about the why behind what you're doing and working towards. Consider that whether or not you accomplish that goal, God loves you, God still has plans for you. Consider whether or notyour commitment to whatever it is has taken you away from your God's will? When you read the Bible, and reflect on your circumstance and decision does it align with God is telling you? Is it keeping you from being in communion with the Lord? Sis, take a moment to look at yourself in the mirror. Raw and real, ask God to make it known to you, to make it clearer? Is what you are pursuing a stumbling block to your faith, to your belief in Chris Jesus? Has it become an idol? Is it more important than anything and everything else? What is your heart's posture toward it? If God didn't give it to you, would you still believe in Him?

As I often tell my loved ones, don't just answer quickly; really think about it...

Examining Our Hearts

I don't intend for this to be a give up on your dream's kind of message; only God can determine that. I just want to help you think about the heart of your desire. God will help you to discern the answers to all these questions. Sometimes it isn't that we are never going to receive it. Sometimes God is sharpening us, like Iron. Maybe because you struggle to prioritize Him, this season is meant to teach you how to better depend and rely on Him, so that you can healthily handle more, so it doesn't steer away from Him, but instead it draws you closer. Maybe it's to adjust how you handle busyness, so that you don't burn yourself out and stop enjoying the beauties and the blessings of life. Maybe it is because you need to know how to fail, so that if you do when you are in a position where so much more is on the line, you don't lose your faith, or desire to ever lose your life. My point is God knows what He is doing, and that as we trust in Him, it becomes less of us and more of Him. Maybe He sees that you perceive Him as a steppingstone, or a disposable tool, and instead He longs to be in a deeper, intimate relationship with you.

Or maybe He sees that your obedience is only tied to His promises. So, you are tested to understand where your heart really lies. So that you can see yourself more clearly leading you to repentance and correction. So that when it doesn't go your way, you don't go back to a life without him. Again, this isn't a knock at you or an attempt to rain on your dreams; this is encouragement to ask the Lord to make it known to you the desires of your heart. To help you to turn toward Him, because nothing God does is in vain, sis. 

A richness that remains

I want to remind you, sis, this earth is not our home. James lays it out clear as day that the rich and the poor have the same fate that we all do on this earth. Like flowers of the grass, we will pass away. The sun rises with scorching winds and withers the grass, and its flowers fall off, and its beauty fades away. But with Christ, there is life after death, with Christ, there is resurrection power. 

James says let the brother, or in our case, sister, lol, in humble circumstances glory in her high position, not because she is lacking, but because, despite what her situation may look like, she is not forsaken, she is still cherished, and she is cared for by God as He is working all things out for her good. She has her reward because she is called to the true riches of God's glory; she is an heir of the omnipotent God. What does that mean to you? Do you understand what this statementmeans in actuality? It means that you are a part of God's fellowship, inseparable from His love, care, and purpose. If you're don't know what that means exactly or if you simply struggle to desire it, it's okay, sis. Theology, divinity, and immortality is hard to wrap our heads around. Don't be ashamed that you don't get it yet, or maybe that you don't even want it. But don't leave it there, bring your honesty to the Lord in prayer, I have a feeling He will minster to your heart regarding this topic.

I can't guarantee what awaits us in heaven, not tangibly speaking, but what I can assure you is that the God who has made all things that are good, all the best of the things of this earth, including our dreams, passions, careers, etc. The God who made the earth, and everything in it, I mean everything, who gives accordingly, and boundlessly, that God awaits us. He longs to love you forever, to remind you that He knows you for who you really are. And sis, we get to experience Him here on earth, not just in Heaven. God's grace meets us here, not only that though so does His unmerited favor, His redemption, His covering, His commitment and my personal favorite His love. This God wants the best for you, not only that He wants to be beside you through this life, and the life that surpasses this one.

What a richness to know that death cannot hold us. That we can glorify in our high position and also repent for our lack of humility and reliance on the Lord.

Ecclesiastes 1:2-4 says

"² Vanity of Vanities! All is vanity." ³What advantage does man have in all his work Which he does under the sun? ⁴A generation goes and a generation comes, But the earth remains forever."

Prayer & Benediction

I have been obsessed with this song recently by Naomi Raine title 'Jesus Over Everything.' Not just because she is one of my favorite worship singers and an amazing vocalist but also because of the depth of her words and the testimony of my heart.

The lyrics write:

"At this point, I'm not afraid to count up everything I've gained as loss, I'll gladly give it in exchange Just to know you. And I don't wanna see your hand if I don't get to know you face to face, I'll gladly lose it all today just to know you. Not looking for attention, and I don't want fame, not after worldly riches or the accolades, Cause I've been living long enough to know the truth, nothing really matters if I don't have You.

Jesus, You, Jesus, You're my everything Only You Jesus over everything."

I hope that the words ministered through this song would touch each and every one of our hearts. My prayer is that having Jesus in our lives would mean more than anything, that we would all assume this posture to be willing to give it all in exchange just to know Him. To spend the rest of our lives with Him. 

Heavenly father, would you humble those of us high positions, who give ourselves the glory for where we are currently. Would you help us, Lord, to consider what idols we have made; heavenly Father, would you give us hearts to see the things that long to keep us away from you.

Help us Lord regardless of where we are in our lives to be humble in our circumstances, make us be worthy of being glorified in high positions that you establish us in. Help us Lord to turn away from the God's we build, and the alters that we sacrifice on, so that we would not wither away, so that we would not be destroyed. Help us, Lord, to rejoice in life everlasting, to join you in your kingdom to be glad to give you the honor and glory you deserve forever. Help us, Lord, to see the crowns of honor glory you have placed on our heads. Help us Lord not to sacrifice them for what is perishable and common to man. Help us, Lord, to put our faith in you, guide us down the narrow road. Help us Lord to close the doors you have called us to close, and to open the ones you have called us to open. We know that with you, Lord, all things are possible, even the renewal of our hearts and minds. Have your way in us Lord, we give ourselves to you.Make us worthy of honor, glory, and life everlasting, help us to help each other to understand what that means more deeply. Help us to encourage one another toward righteousness, so that we would not be afraid of your judgment. Help us Lord to love one another with brotherly and sisterly affection, not wanting each other to peris, so that we would share and enjoy this covenant together. Help us Lord to love you more and more each day, until we are joined together on the happiest day, and until then Lord, we give you all the praise. Amen.