"True Value: Finding Worth Beyond Wealth"
Notes
Transcript
James 1:9-11 “Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.”
CI. Intro
CI. Intro
We have all heard all our Christian lives how bad it is to be prideful. We have seen many examples throughout Scripture of prideful men falling at the hand of God. We can quote Scriptures that teach against pride. We may even be able to recite God’s consequences for being too prideful.
As we are reading through James, we see that he changes the subject this week. Last week, he was talking about receiving wisdom from God, now he moves on to contrast being prideful and being humble. If you remember a couple weeks ago, James said to “count it all joy when you enter divers temptations.” Here in verses 9-11 he is giving us another reason to count it all joy when you enter into trials. This reason is the way we look at our material possessions. Our view of our material possessions is a barometer of our spiritual vitality. How many people here know what a barometer is, or have one in your home? A barometer is an instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure. It is commonly used in weather forecasting, as changes in atmospheric pressure can provide insights into the weather conditions. Barometers are typically calibrated to measure pressure in units of mtillibars (mb) or inches of mercury (inHg). A barometer measures the weather conditions to indicate whether a storm is coming or not. In the same way, we can take our view of our material possessions and use that as a barometer for our spiritual lives.
James reminds us that material wealth is relatively temporary. The illustration James uses was quite familiar to those he was speaking to as they were accustomed to the semi-desert environment. As a flower blooms in the desert, its lifespan will be cut short due to the scorching sun. The same is true to material wealth. Compared to eternity, material wealth has such a short lifespan. James is telling his readers to not count on the earthly things which will one day pass away, but count on the heavenly things.
II. To become lowly, you must bend a little.
II. To become lowly, you must bend a little.
When weightlifters want to strengthen their legs, there is no exercise that competes with the squat. You put the weights on your shoulders and you go down, up, down, up and so forth, to build strength in your legs. In order to build your legs, you have to squat. Most of us don’t get low enough. We’re not growing stronger because we aren’t willing to bend.
Proverbs 11:2 “When pride cometh, then cometh shame: But with the lowly is wisdom.”
One thing to remember is that no matter whether we are rich or poor, we all will go through trials at some point in our life.
The word used to describe the “low brother” in v.9 is ‘tapeinos’ which carries the meaning of lowly, insignificant, weak, or poor. We must remember that no matter how insignificant we think we may be, our weakness is made perfect in Christ. In Him we have our strength.
III. The Deceptive Nature of Pride
III. The Deceptive Nature of Pride
The beginning of pride
Pride is a dangerous and destructive force that has plagued humanity since the beginning. Let us delve into God's Word to understand how pride began and the consequences it brings. In the beginning, God created a perfect world. He formed Adam and Eve in His image, giving them dominion over all creation. They dwelt in the paradise of the Garden of Eden, where everything was harmonious and in perfect order. However, the enemy sought to disrupt this perfection. The serpent, the craftiest creature in the garden, approached Eve and deceived her. He planted a seed of doubt, questioning God's goodness and motives. Genesis 3:1-5 “Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” The serpent enticed Eve to eat from the forbidden tree, promising that she would be like God, knowing good and evil. The temptation appealed to her pride, sparking rebellion in her heart. In that moment, pride entered the hearts of humanity. They sought autonomy, believing they could determine their own destiny apart from God's guidance. Their prideful act shattered the perfect fellowship they had with their Creator.
The Widespread Presence of Pride
From that moment in the Garden, pride became deeply rooted within humanity. Throughout history, we see the devastating effects of pride in individuals, families, communities, and nations. It fuels selfish ambition, envy, strife, and arrogance. It separates us from God and hinders our ability to receive His grace and love. Despite the pervasive presence of pride, God calls us to humility. Humility recognizes our need for God and acknowledges His rightful place as Lord over our lives. It requires us to surrender our pride, submitting to God's will and relying on His strength.
IV. Conclusion
IV. Conclusion
Dear friends, pride began with the deception of the enemy and our own desire to exalt ourselves above God. It separates us from Him and leads to devastating consequences. But there is hope! Through Christ, we can find forgiveness and restoration. Let us humbly submit ourselves to God, seeking His grace and walking in the path of humility. As we conclude our reflection on James 1:9-11, we are reminded of the timeless truth that our earthly possessions and positions are fleeting. The rich and the poor will both face the tests of life, and their true worth will be revealed in light of eternity. Let us remember that true riches are not found in material wealth or social status but in our relationship with God and our eternal inheritance in Christ. As followers of Jesus, our identity and worth are grounded in Him, not in worldly measures of success. May we humbly recognize that our lives are like wildflowers that flourish for a short time before fading away. Let us embrace the wisdom of prioritizing eternal treasures over temporary riches, seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. In the face of trials and temptations, may we find solace in the unchanging character of God, who promises to bless those who persevere with a crown of life. Let us cling to the hope of our eternal home, where the imperishable beauty of God's kingdom awaits us. Let us pray for God's grace and strength to live out these truths in our daily lives, and may the Holy Spirit empower us to embrace humility and resist the allure of worldly pride. May God's Word continue to dwell richly within us, guiding us to live in a manner worthy of His calling. Colossians 3:1-3 “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”