From looking at the lives of God’s servants as recorded in the Scriptures, we see that greatness in the kingdom of God is not often accompanied by wealth, prestige, worldly power or any of the other things prized and valued by the world. Such things were not possessed by Jesus during His life on earth, nor is there any mention of the apostles or their co- workers possessing these things. Jesus did not even possess a home of His own (Luke 9:58).
Jesus also taught in Luke 16 that we as His servants cannot serve two masters; we cannot serve both God and money. He then continued in this same passage to teach that the things which are highly esteemed among men are an abomination in the sight of God (Luke 16:13-15). Jesus taught us that the things which are highly valued among men of this world: material wealth, worldly power, prestige, position, prominence, worldly wisdom or ability, all of these things are detestable in God’s sight.
The Apostle John also exhorted us as believers when he wrote: “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:15-17).
James wrote in his epistle: “But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away.” (James 1:9- 10). James gave us an interesting revelation in these verses as he contrasted the poor believer in humble circumstances, and the rich believer.
He taught that the poor believer living in humble circumstances should “glory” or take pride in the high position that God has chosen for him in His kingdom. At the same time, he taught that the believer who is rich in this present life should “glory in his humiliation”, which means he should take pride in the humble position that God has assigned for him in His kingdom.
For poor believers living in humble circumstances, there are often many struggles, concerns and difficulties that will drive them to God in prayer. There is often a greater realization in the life of a believer in humble circumstances of experiencing what it is like to be a man or woman of sorrows, who is acquainted with suffering and grief (Isaiah 53:3). The hardships brought about through living in humble circumstances bring about a greater share in Jesus’ sufferings, which will bring about for us a greater share in His glory, as God has assigned and prepared a place for each of us (Mark 10:40).