See Yourself from God’s Perspective
“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.”
James 1:9-11
It is important to see yourself through God’s eyes, not your own. When Samuel was sent to the house of Jesse to pick the next King because Saul had made a mess of things, his eyes first fell upon Eliab, the oldest son. Samuel thought, “Surely the LORD’S anointed is before him. (1 Samuel 16:6)” Upon thinking this the Lord replied, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” (v. 7)
There is a human tendency to evaluate people by certain criteria. A man who is tall, muscular, and handsome is often seen as “more attractive” than another who does not have those characteristics. Since the advent of the televised presidential debate one of the main goals of each candidate is to appear “presidential,” to give an air of being knowledgeable and in control. In the 1960 presidential debate those who heard the debate on the radio said that Richard Nixon won, but those who saw the debate said that John F. Kennedy won. Kennedy appeared young, energetic, and handsome. Nixon looked ill having just been to the hospital for a knee injury and refused to wear stage makeup which may have helped to compensate for his tired appearance. This became a turning point in presidential politics. Prior to the debate it was assumed that Nixon would win the presidency.
My point is not political, but cultural. There is a worldly tendency to judge by external criteria and this often happens among Christians in the church. More than that, it can happen in how we view ourselves. Many times in this book, James challenges us to not view people based on outward considerations of how much money they make or how well they are dressed. But these same worldly evaluations can happen to us as we consider ourselves so James warns against that.
It is very possible for wealthy people to put their trust in wealth which is so uncertain. (cf. 1 Timothy 6:17-19) We boast about what we know, what we can do, how much money we have, or how attractive we are. Maybe we don’t say this to other people, and we are pretty good at hiding it, but it can be the attitude of our hearts towards ourselves. Conversely, if we are struggling financially, living week-to-week, having more month than paycheck, we can look down on ourselves and feel less worthy than others or less loved by God.
What is James’ remedy for such thinking? Consider who you are in Christ. If you struggle with seeing yourself as better or more privileged than others, remember how fleeting and ephemeral wealth and beauty are. Before God you are “wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. (Revelation 3:17)” Remember the words to the hymn, Rock of Ages, “Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling; naked, come to Thee for dress, helpless, look to Thee for grace: foul, I to the fountain fly, wash me, Savior, or I die.” If you are poor and are prone to look down on yourself, remember you are a child of the king, and heir of his promises, and recipients of his immeasurable grace. It isn’t money or wealth; it is the spiritual riches of being in Christ. (cf. Ephesians 3:8)
