The Gospel Has A Leveling Effect Series

James 1:9-12-Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:

But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (KJV)

James 1:9-12-Christians who are poor should be glad, for God has honored them. 10 And those who are rich should be glad, for God has humbled them. They will fade away like a flower in the field. 11 The hot sun rises and dries up the grass; the flower withers, and its beauty fades away. So also, wealthy people will fade away with all of their achievements. 12 God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him (NLT)

James deals with real life issues, he deals with things that we deal with daily!

One of those things is being poor and being rich.

We live in a world that promotes materialism and the sad part is, they have convinced us that we can't be happy without the newest item, newest gadget.

Philippians 4:11-12-Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Remember verse 2-Count it all joy.

Outlook determines Outcome and Attitudes determine Action..Trials are profitable!

A Christian is like a tea bag, he is not worth much until he has been through some hot water.

Yet if we value the material more than the spiritual, and our comfort more than becoming Christ like, then trials will always upset us.

Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:

What we have in Christ can never be taken away, or stolen, or deprecate!

The poorest Saints can rejoice, because, of their high Position in Christ. Rejoice that their names are written down in heaven, as those who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb of God.

They can rejoice, in their adoption into God's family as His son and daughters. They are now Royal family; heirs of the kingdom and joint heirs with Christ, and they Minister in Royal Priesthood. They can rejoice in the hope of glory to come.

Rom 5:2-through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (NKJV)

Phil 3:20-For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, (NKJV)

2 Cor 8:9-For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. (NKJV)

God never put anyone in a place too small to grow in.

But the rich, in that he is made low:

A number of men were standing at an open grave having watched the burial of a friend. One man turned to another and said, "I wonder how much Old John left" Another responded, "Old John left it all!

A humble Christian understand that, as quickly as they have gained the riches of this life, they can be gone like the flowers of the field. Their joy is found in Christ, not their possessions.

A London newspaper once offered a prize for the definition of money. The winning entry was a follows. "Money is an article which may be used as a universal passport to everywhere except heaven, and as a universal pointer of everything except happiness.

Poverty Is Temporary And So Is Prosperity, In Comparison To The Eternal Glory That Is Before Us!

The poor man-- is able to go on with God in spite of his adverse circumstances and poverty, because "wisdom has opened to him the glories of heaven".

The Rich man --is enabled to go on with God, in spite of the snares and enticements of wealth, because wisdom from on high has opened his eyes to the real state of earthly things".

The Gospel Has A Leveling Effect On Both The Poor and Rich!

Jesus and His disciples were in Jericho where they met two men on the same day. One was Bartimaeus, who was in Poverty; the other was Zacchaeus the Prosperous tax collector