“Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation” (James 1:9).
A wise sage once observed, “When you outgo exceeds your income, then your upkeep will be your downfall.”
Times of financial shortfall and trial—especially when you have had to flee from harsh religious persecution with just the clothes on your back—are quite challenging. Only an inspired writer would contradict all conventional wisdom by commanding his readers to glory in such an ordeal and consider it an “exaltation”!
How is such instruction wise counsel and not cruel folly? Where is the glory in the trial of financial shortfall? What sane reasons exist for you to rejoice in poverty and need?
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You can rejoice in the fact that wealth is not a legitimate measure of your actual worth to God (see Matthew 19:23-25).
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You can rejoice in the fact that God—just like He did with Job—has confidence in you and your integrity when confronted with catastrophe financial reversals (see Job 1:8, 2:3).
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You can rejoice in the sufficiency of God’s grace during such times of need and weakness (see 2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
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You can rejoice in the powerful way trials can help you discern what is truly important and valuable in life (see James 1:5).
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You can rejoice in the extraordinary “exchange rate” such trials have; the spiritual dividends they pay are literally “out of this world” (see 2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
When extreme financial trials arise, resist the temptation to doubt God and His goodness.
