Introduction

Good morning, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. As we gather here today, in this sacred space, under the watchful gaze of our Heavenly Father, we are called to reflect, to ponder, and to meditate on a question that is as old as humanity itself, yet often overlooked in our fast-paced, materialistic world. That question is: What truly defines you?

In a society that places a heavy emphasis on possessions, wealth, and status, it is all too easy to lose sight of our true worth. We are constantly bombarded with messages telling us that our value is tied to what we own, what we wear, what we drive, or how much money we have in the bank. But, my dear friends, I am here today to remind you, to reassure you, that your worth, your identity, your very essence, is not defined by these worldly possessions.

Let us turn our hearts and minds to the Holy Scriptures, to the book of James, chapter 1, verses 9 and 10. The Word of God says, "Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower."

These verses remind us that our earthly possessions are fleeting, like a wild flower that blooms in all its glory one day and withers the next. They are not the measure of our worth in the eyes of God. Instead, our worth is determined by who we are in Christ, by our faith, our love, our kindness, our humility, and our willingness to serve others.

Before we continue, let us bow our heads in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for gathering us here today. We thank you for your Word, which guides us and enlightens us. We ask that you open our hearts and minds to your message today. Help us to understand that our worth is not defined by our possessions, but by who we are in you. Amen.

Now, imagine for a moment that you are a diamond. Yes, a diamond. A precious stone formed deep within the earth, under intense heat and pressure. On the surface, a diamond is beautiful, sparkling, and valuable. But its true worth lies not in its outward appearance, but in its inner qualities. A diamond is strong, resilient, and unbreakable. It is unique, with each one having its own distinct characteristics.

Similarly, each one of us is like a diamond in the eyes of God. Our true worth lies not in our outward possessions, but in our inner qualities – our faith, our love, our kindness, our humility. These are the qualities that make us unique, that make us valuable, that make us who we are.

So, as we continue with our worship service today, let us remember that we are more than our possessions. What we own is not who we are. We are children of God, precious and unique, defined not by what we have, but by who we are in Christ. Let this truth resonate in our hearts and minds as we worship our Lord and Savior today. Amen.

Main Teaching: What You Own is Not Who You Are

Let's take a look at James 1:9-10, "Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower."

Now, this is a bit of a paradox, isn't it? The poor taking pride in their high position and the rich taking pride in their humiliation. But that's the beauty of God's kingdom. It flips our worldly understanding upside down.

The first thing we need to understand is that our worth is not determined by our wealth. It's easy to look at our bank accounts, our homes, our cars, and think that's what defines us. But that's not the case.

In the original Greek, the word for "pride" used in this passage is "kauchaomai." It means to boast or to glory in something. It's not about arrogance or vanity, but about recognizing the true source of our worth.

So when James talks about the poor taking pride in their high position, he's not talking about financial status. He's talking about their position in Christ. And when he talks about the rich taking pride in their humiliation, he's reminding them that their wealth is temporary. It will pass away like a wild flower.

This reminds me of a quote by C.S. Lewis, "Don't let your happiness depend on something you may lose." Our happiness, our worth, our identity should not be tied to our possessions. They are temporary. They can be lost. But our identity in Christ is eternal.

Now, let's talk about humility. The rich are to take pride in their humiliation. This doesn't mean they should be ashamed of their wealth. Rather, they should recognize that it doesn't elevate them above others. In God's eyes, we are all equal. Wealth doesn't make us better. Poverty doesn't make us less.

And finally, let's talk about perspective. Our circumstances, whether we're rich or poor, are temporary. They will pass away like a wild flower. But our position in Christ is eternal. It's secure. It's unchanging.

So, what defines you? Is it your wealth? Your possessions? Or is it your identity in Christ? Remember, what you own is not who you are. Your worth is found in Christ alone.

The Misconception of Wealth as Identity

In the book of James, we find a striking contrast. The humble are lifted high, and the wealthy are brought low. It's a reminder that our worth is not tied to our bank accounts, our possessions, or our social status. It's a truth that echoes throughout the New Testament, challenging our worldly perceptions and inviting us to see ourselves through God's eyes.

Firstly, let's look at the humble brother. He may not have much in terms of worldly possessions, but he has something far more valuable. He has a high position in the Kingdom of God. His worth is not defined by what he owns, but by who he is in Christ. He is a child of God, loved, valued, and cherished. His identity is secure, not in his lack of wealth, but in his relationship with God.

Secondly, we see the rich man. He may have all the wealth and possessions one could desire, but these things do not define him. In fact, James tells us he should take pride in his humiliation. Why? Because his wealth and possessions are temporary. They will pass away like a wild flower. His true identity, his true worth, is found not in his wealth, but in his relationship with God.

Let's turn our attention to another New Testament passage that echoes this theme. In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus tells us, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

This passage reinforces the idea that our worth is not tied to our earthly possessions. Our true treasure, our true worth, is found in heaven. It's found in our relationship with God. It's found in the love, grace, and mercy He lavishly pours out on us.

Thirdly, we must remember that our identity is not something we earn or achieve. It's not something we can buy or sell. It's a gift. It's a gift from God. We are His children, created in His image, loved beyond measure. Our worth is not determined by what we own, but by who we are in Him.

Lastly, we must resist the temptation to find our identity in our possessions. It's a trap that can lead to pride, greed, and discontentment. Instead, let's find our identity in Christ. Let's find our worth in His love for us. Let's find our value in the fact that we are His, bought with a price, precious in His sight.

In conclusion, what you own is not who you are. Your worth is not tied to your possessions, your wealth, or your social status. Your worth is found in God. Your identity is found in Christ. And that, my friends, is a truth worth holding on to.

True Identity in Christ

In the hustle and bustle of our modern lives, it's easy to get caught up in the trappings of material wealth and worldly success. We often equate our worth with our possessions, our status, our achievements. But let me tell you, my friends, this is a misguided notion. It's a trap that ensnares us, leading us away from the truth of who we are in Christ.

The first point I want to make is this: What you own is not who you are. This is a truth that we need to grasp firmly and hold onto tightly. It's a truth that is echoed throughout the Bible, and it's a truth that we need to embed deep within our hearts.

In a study conducted by Tim Kasser, a professor of psychology at Knox College, it was found that people who place a high value on wealth, status, and material possessions are more likely to experience lower levels of well-being, happiness, and satisfaction with life. They are also more likely to experience higher levels of anxiety, depression, and other negative emotions. This research underscores the biblical truth that our worth is not found in what we own.

A.W. Tozer, a renowned pastor and author, once said, "One hundred religious persons knit into a unity by careful organization do not constitute a church any more than eleven dead men make a football team. The first requisite is life, always." This quote, while not directly speaking about possessions, speaks to the heart of our identity in Christ. It's not about what we have or what we do, but about who we are in Him.

The second point I want to make is this: Our identity is found in our relationship with God. This is a truth that is foundational to our faith. It's a truth that is woven throughout the fabric of Scripture, and it's a truth that we need to embrace fully.

In a study conducted by Kenneth Pargament, a professor of psychology at Bowling Green State University, it was found that people who have a strong relationship with God tend to experience higher levels of well-being, happiness, and satisfaction with life. They are also less likely to experience anxiety, depression, and other negative emotions. This research supports the biblical truth that our worth is found in our relationship with God, not in our possessions.

The third point I want to make is this: Our worth is determined by our purpose in God's kingdom. This is a truth that is transformative. It's a truth that can change the way we see ourselves and the way we live our lives.

In a study conducted by Michael Steger, a professor of psychology at Colorado State University, it was found that people who have a strong sense of purpose in life tend to experience higher levels of well-being, happiness, and satisfaction with life. They are also less likely to experience anxiety, depression, and other negative emotions. This research supports the biblical truth that our worth is found in our purpose in God's kingdom, not in our possessions.

So, my friends, let us remember these truths. Let us remember that what we own is not who we are. Let us remember that our identity is found in our relationship with God. And let us remember that our worth is determined by our purpose in God's kingdom.

Conclusion

Dear brothers and sisters, as we come to the end of our time together today, I want to remind you of the key message we've been discussing from James 1:9-10. It's a message that is simple, yet so profound. It's a message that challenges our worldly perspectives and calls us to a higher standard. It's a message that says, "What you own is not who you are."

In our society, it's so easy to get caught up in the pursuit of material wealth. We're constantly bombarded with messages that tell us we need more, that we're not enough unless we have the latest gadgets, the biggest house, the fanciest car. But the truth is, these things don't define us. They don't determine our worth. They don't make us who we are.

Our identity, our worth, is not found in what we own, but in who we are in Christ. We are chosen by God. We are loved by Him. We are His representatives on earth. This is what truly defines us. This is what gives us worth and purpose.

So, as we leave here today, let's remember this truth. Let's not allow ourselves to be defined by our possessions. Instead, let's find our identity in Christ. Let's live as His chosen people, declaring His praises and reflecting His love to the world.

Get the Full Sermon

• Sermon Notes
• Midweek Discussion Questions