Humble Pride

Have you ever considered taking pride in your humble circumstances?
What does that even mean???

 

This Christmas is a good opportunity for many of us to practice.  When your income stays the same, but the price of groceries practically doubles, something's gotta give.
And to top it all off, you notice that the "cheap, Chinese junk" toys at Wally World aren't so cheap anymore.  Well, they're still cheap, but now they're more expensive than ever.   The Santa lists are all turned in, but Mrs. Clause just doesn't have the elf power that she once had.  How am I supposed to be jolly???

Consider this:
"The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position."  James 1:9

 We have been taught to take pride in our successes, achievements and  anything else good that happens to us.  We are used to being ashamed of our struggles, weakness and humble circumstances.   Even in the church, this is a big issue.  The most wealthy Christians are often esteemed as the most successful.  It's all mixed up.
 
The daddy in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position.
The mama in humble circumstances ought to take pride in her high position.
The children in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.

How?

By recognizing what really matters.
By being grateful for family and friends.  Grateful for a God who knows your name.
By believing the Bible.

Remember that the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.  For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed.  (The economy will shift, hard times will come, money will disappear)  In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.

But things that really matter are eternal.  Humble circumstances HELP us.  They remind us to value the right things. 

Benjamin just crawled up in my lap with his "Move it, move it" blankey.  (It's from the song from Madagascar, in case you were wondering.)  It's his favorite present from last Christmas, when he was three.  Who knew that all those other presents would end up at Goodwill or in a bin somewhere?  What he really loves is to snuggle with me and his blankey!  Now there's something that I can give no matter what's up with the economy.


That's the stuff that matters.