Day #3

Read James 1:9-11

At first glance, you may not quite get what is being said in these verses.  This is where a “commentary” is helpful.  You might be asking, “What is a commentary?”  Well, a commentary explains verses so you can understand them better.  Commentaries are written by people who are super smart in the history and language of the Bible.  We call these super smart people theologians.  Some people have STUDY BIBLES, which have commentaries at the bottom of every page in their Bible.

Now, back to James 1:9-11… Read it one more time.  What does this mean exactly?

Rich people and poor people will have extreme pressure to focus on the world rather than on Christ.  How do you think a rich person might focus on the world rather than Christ?  How do you think a poor person might focus on the world rather than Christ?  Seriously, answer these questions and talk to God out loud here.

In these verses James is trying to get the attention of the poor and the rich at the same time.  He is saying that Christians who are poor should boast, or brag, about their high status in Christ.  The “lowly brother” will be lifted up and watched out for by God!!  And for the Christian who is rich… he says they should boast, or brag, in their humiliation.  Humiliation??  That sounds terrible though.   

Why would God want that?  Well…

1.      When a Christian who is rich loses their money for some reason, it is good because they realize that their wealth is for a short time and it does not make them any more special before God.

2.      Also, when a Christian who is rich loses their money for some reason, it is good because they now understand what it is to be poor.  They will have gentleness for those who are without.

Get ready, because tomorrow we are going to start memorizing a verse.   

Remember, as Christians, we should be hiding ourselves in God’s word…

… like the little child who hides behind is mom.