“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)
Some years ago I knew a doctor’s wife who was a most amazing woman. Every Sunday she would pick up several rather dirty children who lived on her way to town and bring them to church with her. Because of that woman’s faithfulness to God that boy and girl were both baptized. The boy later on went to college; something no one in his family had ever done. Nancy had refused to pass by on the other side as did the Jews in the story of the Good Samaritan.
The sad thing about that true story is that it seems that what that woman did was an unusually laudable thing. It should have been the normal thing in the Body of Christ. James wants us to learn that It doesn’t matter what your status in life is – it matters what your status in heaven is!
I. THE PROBLEM OF PERSISTENT POVERTY
This passage reminds us that being a Christian doesn’t always mean being on top of the world’s list. Most of the Christians James was writing to had given up their homes and past lives because of their decision to follow Christ. As a result, poverty was a reality they knew all too well. So desperate was their situation that James calls them lowly brothers (v.9). The word lowly can mean without money or without other talents and abilities others see as superior.
These Christians actually faced two great trials. First, they faced the trial that anyone would who was in deep poverty. Obviously they faced the rigors of life that any person without material means would. Added to that they had a far more insidious trial to face. They also faced the trial of being looked down on by other, more well-to-do believers. James 2:1-6 records the strong words of James as he brings to light the habit of some people in the church looking down on their own brothers and sisters in Christ of lesser means.
James is plain about this one thing: Being on the bottom of man’s list doesn’t put you on the bottom of God’s list! The reason is that God has no list. The truth is that we as Christians all have the same exaltation (v.9) or rank. Our rank is that of saved by the blood of the Lamb and servants of Jesus Christ.
This passage doesn’t mean that only poor people can really be spiritual nor does it mean you have to take a vow of poverty to serve the Lord. It does mean, however, that for all of us there is only one thing that makes us truly rich – our position in Christ.
II. THE PROMISE OF PASSING PROSPERITY
James turns his attention in James 1:10 to those in the church who were considered well off, physically and financially. His first reminder is this; Earth’s prosperity is not eternal. The warning to the rich man is as a flower of the field he will pass away. Here is a picture of Palestine’s flowers and flowering grasses, which colorfully flourish in February and dry up by May. The prophet Isaiah said, “All flesh is grass, And all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, Because the breath of the Lord blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:6-8).
When all is said and done, being on top of the world’s list doesn’t count for much nor does it last for long (see Job 15:29-30; 24:24). David wrote, “Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house is increased; for when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not descend after him” (Psalm 49:16-17).
James 1:11 puts it even more bluntly, so the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.” This can be translated, “so the rich man will wear out in his journey of life.” The journey of life wears away the differences between us. Ronald Reagan was the most powerful man on the face of the earth. Today his condition has left him with no more ability than the person with the same condition in a shack in the Tennessee Mountains.
It is also important to realize that God has allowed the believer to have riches for a season and a reason. The wealthy are instructed to use their wealth for God while they have it. It may not last! (See 1 Timothy 6:17-19.)
William Borden was a wealthy Christian growing up in Chicago as an heir of the Borden milk fortune. When he was in his first year at Yale University he committed himself to reaching the Muslims of North India. Three years later he sailed for Egypt to study Arabic before going to India. He knew that money could not mean security so before he left he gave away his inheritance of nearly one million dollars to various missions. He was in Cairo for four months when he contracted spinal meningitis and was dead within weeks. He had scrawled on a piece of paper under his pillow the words, "No reserve! No retreat! No regrets!"
III. THE PLEA FOR PROPER PERSPECTIVE
James is clearly calling on us to get life in the proper perspective. Our glory is to be found in Christ – not in what we have or don’t have. It is that we are heirs together as believers of eternal life that makes us all the same.
“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ … For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:16-18)
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male or female; for you are all one in Christ.” (Galatians 3:28)
Poor Christians and wealthy ones can rejoice that God is no respecter of persons and that they both have the privilege of being identified with Christ.
These truths mean that we are all equally dependent on God and we must all come to God in the same position – on our knees. Trials make all believers equally dependent on God and bring them to the same level with each other by keeping them from becoming preoccupied with earthly things.
When we submit to this kind of perspective on life we become like Christ. Jesus voluntarily took on himself a lowly position and attitude. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30).
During the time of the persecution of Christians in Rome there was an incident that forever changed the heart of one senator. He had gathered together all of his servants who were known to be Christians and had them arrested and sent to the Coliseum to be killed. Seated in the Senator’s place of honor he looked with horror to see his wife leave the stands, step down into the arena, hold hands with her servant girl and face the lions together. They were equal in Christ.
