Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits. (James 1:9-11, NKJV).
In this world, the rich are often elevated - by others, and sometimes by themselves. Yet James warns us not to glory in such status. Riches are not forever. When man goes to his long home, his wealth does not go with him. The lowly brother, however, needs no admonition to be humble. His circumstances teach it daily. Though he labors, he may still struggle to make ends meet.
What then is his exaltation? It is his position in Christ. In the body of Christ, there are no upper, middle, and lower classes. Whoever is in Christ has been raised from spiritual death and seated with Him in the heavenly places (cf. Ephesians 2:5-6). Everyone is of equal value. Paul wrote, For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:26-28).
This truth is reinforced throughout the book of James. In chapter two, the church is warned not to show partiality by honoring the rich and dishonoring the poor. Later, James presents two examples of approved faith: Abraham, a patriarch, and Rahab, a harlot. Both of them are placed side by side as being justified. In chapter three, James points out the contradiction of blessing God while cursing men made in His likeness.
James also warns the rich that they will fade away like the grass under the scorching sun (James 1:11). Much like the account that Jesus told of the rich man and Lazarus, there will come a time when roles are reversed (Luke 16:25). Therefore, those who are rich in this present age must be humble. Let them put their trust in God instead of wealth and be a blessing to those of lower estate (1 Timothy 6:17-18; Romans 12:3,16).
We live in a time when many of us are richly supplied with material blessings. Yet we must never forget being rich toward God is what truly matters (Luke 12:21). Wealth is not sinful, but how we use it can be. He who despises his neighbor sins; but he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he (Proverbs 14:21). Above all, let us follow the example of our Lord. Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).
Brotherly, Jamie
