James, a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ!-

Exalted Through Poverty!

Are you thinking 'gosh, how can poverty exalt me?' I understand why you would think that, after all, we live in a culture where those who are in poverty, are thought of as losers.  Now, think about the Lord Jesus Christ and His his life on earth. Jesus was the earthly son of a carpenter.  As an adult, He had no place to rest His head.  He sleep outside, not in plush hotels.  Jesus was speaking to a large crowd for many hours, when he realized the need of food for His guest.  He didn't have any money, so calling out for pizza wasn't going to work.  He did have a few loaves of bread and a few fish and his guests ate plenty, there were left-overs.  So God the Father took good care of His Son while He was on His mission.  Wow,  what the bible tells us about Jesus, I could go on and on.  Jesus was not poor, He owns it all!  But yet He became poor, so that we would  become richly blessed with Spiritual blessings.

James 1:9 tells us to take pride in our high position, when we are in humble circumstances.  James now contrast this high position with a low position, verse 10 tells us the rich man is in a low position.  Now verse 11 tells us, the reason he is low is, his riches will fade away like a blossom on a plant.  And now in verse 12 he tells us that the man who perseveres under trial is blessed. He goes on to say that "he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."

Sure some people seem to have it all but do they?  Do you have the promise of the crown of life, because you have trusted in Jesus to wash away your sins?  If you do, all the other riches seem nice, but you would never trade your humble position for temporary wealth.  Some day you will live in that mansion in heaven and forever you will live!  I'm not against wealth, you don't have to live in poverty to be a Christian and have the promise of eternal life.  Just remember when the hard times come and it seems that everyone around you has more than you, it is only temporary!  Keep your eyes on Jesus and know that the future is bright!

Exalted through poverty?  If you are like these people James was writing to, they were experiencing hard times because of their faith in the Savior, Jesus Christ.  By now they have forgotten about the hard times, and have been experiencing the joy of their salvation, the crown of life!

"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."  Jeremiah 29:11