Mo Money Mo Problems

The point: We can brag, because our trials teach us to rely on on God’s spiritual resources and not our own.

James 1:9–11 NIV

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.

Tension:

OOH

“If you’re poor, brag about it. If you’re rich, get low.” That’s what James just said. The problem? That’s not how the world works. The world says, ‘If you’ve got it, flaunt it; if you don’t, hide it.’ But here’s James… flipping the script, telling us to boast when the script says be embarrassed, and be humble when the script says stand tall.

UGH

So let’s be honest — how do you brag when you’re broke? When you’ve got more bills than dollars, more rejection letters than job offers, more prayers than answers… what exactly are you supposed to be bragging about?

Usually when we are broke we hide?

And what about the other side — if you’ve worked hard, if you’ve built something, if you’ve “made it” — why should you downplay that? Why not stand in the spotlight you earned?

Illustration: Cash Money Millionaires shining and flossing!

This is the gap. James is calling us to live in a value system that doesn’t match the one we’ve been breathing in since birth. And right here is where most of us feel the tension: We trust God — but when it comes to worth, wealth still wins in our heads.

Clue

Here’s what James knows — and what most of us forget: Your trial isn’t just something to survive. It’s a teacher. When you’re stripped of status, stripped of savings, stripped of self-reliance, you finally see what’s been holding you up the whole time — and it wasn’t you. God’s resources aren’t tied to your résumé. His provision isn’t capped by your paycheck. And if you’ve been blessed with more than enough? James says, “Humble yourself,” because what you have can vanish as quickly as the wildflower in the Texas heat. Rich or poor, the gospel levels the ground — and the only treasure that doesn’t fade is Christ Himself.

We can brag, because our trials teach us to rely on Jesus and his resources and not our own.

We can brag, because my brokeness led me to my blessing.

We can brag, because having money taught me what matters is what money cannot buy!

Exalting Jesus In James God Is Sovereign over Our Trials (1:2–12)

Trials will remind you that money can’t solve your problems, and all of the stuff you fill your life with can’t cover up your hurts. One day all that stuff is going to be burned in the fire, and you’re going to have nothing left. Will your life be built on those physical resources or on the spiritual resources only God can provide?

Affirmation: Pride in the pressure, because there is power in His provision.

Illustration:Back in 2008, the housing market crashed. People who thought they were set for life — beautiful homes, big portfolios — woke up to find they’d lost everything. At the same time, folks who had been struggling didn’t really lose much… because they didn’t have much to lose. In a moment, the “rich” and the “poor” were standing on the same ground. That’s what James is saying — life has a way of leveling the playing field. Your wealth can vanish, your position can change, your status can fade. But if your worth is anchored in God, you’re not shaken when the market crashes — because His kingdom never devalues.

Homework: Go home and write down and speak your story. Instead of hiding the trials and telling the “good stuff” Tell your story from trial to trial. Let somebody see that the only thing they can depend on is Jesus.