Boast in Humility

Scripture Reading: James 1:9-11, Isaiah 40:6-8, Jeremiah 9:23-24, Matthew 6:19-21, Matthew 6:24

I love buying new things. There is something so satisfying about buying a fresh, new “whatever I want” that brings a renewed pep in my step and a solid dose of dopamine.

Last week, I found myself looking for a new vehicle for our booked and busy household. While yes, we already have two working cars, I found myself researching yet another one, weighing the pros and cons of buying it. “This one is bigger with better mileage and would be great for the kids,” I reasoned. “Plus, it is way cooler than the one we have, and the neighbors just got a brand new car.” I needed it, I decided.

While the theme of today’s reading is a tender one, I believe God highlights the topic of humility in wealth because it matters deeply to Him. Do today’s passages mean that if I’m not impoverished I can’t please God? If I do have money and enjoy nice things, am I in sin? If I buy the new vehicle we don’t need, am I evil?

Collectively, the culture I live in is one of consumerism and consumption. We humans love shiny things. And while it’s okay to have things and enjoy those things, we can easily wander astray when having the things themselves becomes our sole focus and goal. When we elevate our money and riches it becomes an idol, and, if we’re not careful, our worship may quickly start to correspond with the rising and falling of the amount we have.

If we don’t have a lot, we can become consumed by wanting; if we do have a lot, we can become consumed by holding on to it. When we have much, we can become proud of ourselves; when we have little, we can become sorry for ourselves. This means that whether we have full bank accounts or we are barely making it each month, our focus shouldn’t be fixated on earthly items. All of these traps can create a root of pride and lead us to believe we are our own provider rather than God Himself.

God’s kingdom is for the humble, and humility is forged when we focus on Jesus and not earthly riches.

The world promises that more, new, and shiny is better than what we currently hold in our hands. The consumeristic culture boasts that if we get one more thing or make just one more purchase, we will be content. Scripture shares a better word.

James 1:9–10 says: “Let the brother of humble circumstances boast in his exaltation, but let the rich boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower in the field.”

Earthly riches do not last. Exaltation in the kingdom is eternal.

As followers of Jesus, we don’t need more “fill in the blank” to be content. We need a renewal of our mind to see the truth. Our treasure is not here. Our treasure is in heaven.

Written by Sarah Wood