James 1:9, Let the Brother Rejoice!
James 1:9, “Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted.”
“Let the brother of low degree rejoice.”
When was the last time you rejoiced over being poor? God provides for our needs, but He doesn’t necessarily make you materially rich, and for this we ought to be thankful and rejoice! Seem contrary? Maybe our perspective is contrary. Maybe we don’t value enough what is eternally important, and maybe we have set too much importance on that which is temporary.
There is an epidemic of comfortability among today’s Christians. I don’t know too many Christians who are in pursuit of extreme wealth (probably related to the company I keep), but there are some who just want to reach a particular level of comfort in order to be happy. They believe that once they reach that level they will be able to do more to serve the Lord. So they work toward their pension, make sure they have specific comforts to enjoy, and insure a certain level of fallback wealth in case things take a turn. Ministry is secondary and an afterthought, placed among the leftovers. This mindset destroys the pioneering spirit of ministry. These Christians look for a comfortable place to serve instead of exercising a pioneering vision to build a ministry within a church. The spirit of comfortability is said to be the responsible thing to do, but this thought process is grounded in man’s philosophy.
We should look back to the followers of God of old times to see what it means to rejoice in our low degree. Paul said that he took “pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake.” Paul wasn’t one looking to be comfortable; He wanted to serve God from a state of low degree. He closed that verse by saying, “for when I am weak, then am I strong.” Paul added in an earlier passage, “If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.” Nearly all the apostles gave up whatever future they might have had to suffer reproach with Christ. Moses is mentioned in Hebrews 11:25-26 for “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.” We read of men like George Mueller who dedicated his life to God’s work and by faith saw God provide for every need, living purely by faith and not the comforts of this life. We read also of David Livingston, Jim Elliot, and many missionaries of old who were not concerned about comforts but dedicated themselves to God’s work. We also see many modern examples of God’s servants who leave the comforts of their homes to live by faith in order to see God use them for a work. What we see in their lives is the joy of low degree as they exercise faith in God.
Christ gives us the greatest example of low degree in Himself. Philippians 2 teaches us, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Christ didn’t come to earth to set an example of being comfortable; He set the example of humility in low estate.
What we often miss is that wealth and comfort can actually be at best a hindrance and at worst a curse. Comfortability from our own hands gives us space that we don’t have to trust the Lord. We can instead find pleasure in the stuff with which we surround ourselves, we can find provision in our good-paying job, we can find peace in our bank accounts, and we can find rest in our retirement. We can see everything we need and can therefore relax and afford to do some giving. Why exercise faith? “But without faith it is impossible to please [God].” There is great danger in this lifestyle. 1 Timothy 6:9-10 clearly teaches us the danger of this type of pursuit: “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” The pursuit of comfort is the pursuit of a level of riches. The love of money doesn’t always look like the old Scrooge McDuck cartoon of swimming in your gold, but it is also a person who looks to their money to provide comfort and stability instead of looking to God to supply.
“Rejoice in that he is exalted.”
We need to learn 1 Timothy 6:6-8, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” Those of low degree can rejoice because he understands that true gain is in Godly character and eternal riches and in a life dedicated to the cause of Christ. The brother of low degree doesn’t have to build himself up, but he rejoices “in that he is exalted.” God will exalt this brother! The Philippians 2 example of Christ reminds us that after Christ humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, “God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;” Paul tells us the reason that he gloried in his infirmities is because God is glorified, which is what really mattered to him and what should matter to us.
The brother of low degree can rejoice because he has learned the truth of Matthew 6:19-21, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” The brother of low degree has an easier time keeping his heart in the right place because his treasure is not in earthly comforts but in heavenly places. He has learned to seek “first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” He knows that “my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus,” and can therefore rejoice in low degree.
