Monday 17/12/12

James 1:9-11 ESV

Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

Poverty will fade away one day, if the poor is hard and diligent in his work. Being poor, he is humiliated by the world. Rather than accepting and humbling in his poverty, it's good for a poor person to boast of his ambition, to exalt himself in God.

On the other hand, it's better for the rich to boast in his humiliation because his richest will fade away. Being rich, he will receive all kinds of praised and honors from the world, and is tempted to be proud. By boasting in his humiliation, he avoid all those temptations and mingle well with his poorer brothers in Christ.

Ultimately, in Christ we are one. In God's  eyes, we are the same, no richer, no poorer, no master, no slave. We all contribute our part in His Kingdom, and receive His providence. Everything is from Him and is given by Him, the masters must not think they are better or higher than the slaves, or the rich than the poor. They just have different lot in life.