QUESTION: Do you feel rich or poor?

The other day while at a Bible study, my friend, Roger (who’s also the leader), pointed out this verse in James:

“Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away.” -James 1:9

That’s a stretch to understand, at least for me. Breaking it down, though, I think it reveals how the rich and poor should serve others in each of their positions.

• Lowly (or poor) people should live like rich people, recognizing all the blessings God has given even though they’re poor.
• Rich people should live like poor people, focusing on how much they need God even though they’re rich.

In other words, the poor person ministers to others by showing off the blessings God’s given, and the rich person ministers to others by showing off the worthlessness of riches.

Which made me think, which am I? Which are you? In serving others, do you feel like you’re the poor person or the rich person?

Which is your ministry? How are you called to serve?

Serving Suggestions:

(1) Consider which you are, poor or rich. Which position are you in life right now (it doesn’t necessarily have to relate to money here).

(2) Consider which ministry you have. Are you supposed to show everyone how amazing your life is even though it “shouldn’t” be amazing (poor person)? Or are you supposed to show everyone how worthless riches are and how in need of God you are even though you “shouldn’t” need Him (rich person)?

(3) Leave a comment with your answer from (1) and (2). Discuss.