Humility in High Places

 

James 1:9-11 ⁽⁹⁾Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. ⁽¹⁰⁾But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. ⁽¹¹⁾For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. (NIV)

                In the beginning, God created an entire universe full of planets, suns, moons, stars, and galaxies. But prior to making these things, God created His Heavenly host comprised of many wonderful angels. These angels were special and were given various tasks that they would do for their Creator. These marvelous creatures would be reign higher than earthly man, who God hadn’t yet created, but lower than Himself. All they had to do was obey His commands and serve Him with genuine love. Who wouldn’t want to be obedient and show undying loyalty to the One who made them into perfect heavenly beings?

            God loved all of His creation, but there was one angel that He took great care to specially make. This angel was beautiful and perfect beyond measure. God created him with various jewels to adorn and he had the voice of many pipes. Can you imagine someone being able to sing on various musical scales all at the same time? That goes beyond the average human ability. However, he was a choir all by himself. There was no angel like him for God had given him a uniqueness beyond the capability to duplicate. Unfortunately, something went terribly wrong.

            This angel became carried away with his beauty. He thought of himself as being an equal to God his Creator. He believed that he had a right to sit in the highest of positions. He allowed pride to overtake his thoughts and as a result, lead his actions to sin. Lucifer thought that he was better capable of being God than God himself. A lack of humility was his downfall. His jewels became his idol. His beauty distorted his vision. His musical talent turned into arrogance and his voice for good turned into a recruitment for evil. His high position in Heaven was taken away; therefore, he became the prince of darkness. A once rising star would one day be nothing more than a memory of dark ash. Isaiah 14:12-15 ⁽¹²⁾How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! ⁽¹³⁾You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. ⁽¹⁴⁾I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” ⁽¹⁵⁾But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit. (NIV)

            The Apostle James lets us know that we are to be humble in all areas of our lives. Whenever God blesses you to be in a position of authority rather in the home, work and/or body of Christ, we are to work in all humility. God never gives elevation for the position to be abused or neglected. When we look at the example that Jesus gave, while here on earth, we can see that he did not allow his authority to make him prideful, but as a servant, he served the Father. Romans 15:8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed. (NIV) Therefore, we are to live our lives unto God in the same manner that Jesus did.

        The Apostle James was not saying that it is wrong to have wealth, but he was letting us know that we are never to let material things go to our head and make us arrogant. We must remember that all good things come from the Lord and commit ourselves to a life of servitude even if we are blessed to obtain wealth. The Bible tells the story of the rich young ruler who came to him and asked about the requirements to have eternal life. Jesus answered his question, but the rich young ruler was not happy with the answer. Mark 10:21-23 ⁽²¹⁾Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” ⁽²²⁾At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. ⁽²³⁾Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” (NIV) The rich young ruler made his treasure his idol and consequently, broke the 1^st commandment. The Bible says when we break one, we have broken them all. Also, his pride got in the way of him truly serving God; likewise, he was guilty of breaking the 2^nd commandment as well. 

            If we truly want to serve God, we must be mindful that we are to do so as humble servants. God loves a humble heart because it allows Him to do His work in us to be tools used for His kingdom. Never allow pride to turn you away from God because we are nothing without Him.

The Book of James: 30 Days of Devotion For Men is now available on Amazon.com.