James 1:9-11

"Let the lowly brother be proud of his exaltation; and let the rich brother be proud of his humiliation; for he will pass away like a flower of the field. The sun rises with the scorching wing and withers the grass, and the flower wilts, and the beauty of its form is destroyed. So the rich will wither away in all his ways."


James believed that Christianity would bring everyone to how they should be. The poor will be exalted, and the rich will be humbled. So the poor man will learn that he matters and has a purpose, and the rich man will learn humility.

One way I can apply this is to view and treat everyone the same, and not judge others by their appearances. Which is something I really struggle with. A quote in the Barclay commentary is "Call no man worthless for whom Christ died." Another application from this verse is to not put your trust in temporary things, or things of this world, because the things of this world will not last.