Believers in humble circumstances
ought to take pride in their high position.
—James 1:9
There is vast socioeconomic disparity. But in the church, distinctions of worth are verboten. All members are of equal importance.
James wanted those “in humble circumstances”—the poor and powerless—to comprehend their value in God’s reckoning: “A Christian who doesn’t amount to much in this world should be glad, for he is great in the Lord’s sight” (TLB); “The brother who is poor may be glad because God has called him to the true riches” (Phillips).
Every Christian is royalty, for however limited their earthly circumstances, they are a child of the King; each has the stamp of nobility, for God considered them worth the life and death of his Son. “Call no man worthless for whom Christ died” (Muretus).
Live with a sense of value and importance, for this is how God sees you.
When you see yourself as God sees you,
no one can make you feel worthless.