James Post #4 - James 1: 9-11

Hello and welcome back to our study of the Epistle of James.  Thanks, again, for taking the time to come to this blog site and join me in our look at James’ letter.  Today we are going to focus on just three verses.  I think you’ll see that there is plenty to share from these three verses that will leave us with things to think about, so…let’s get started.   I’ll begin by sharing James, chapter one verses 9 through 11.  I sure hope you are reading the verses in your own Bible and that you pray at the start of each of these posts.  It really helps to get the most out of our time together in the Word.

“Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.  But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.  For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.”

At first blush the verses in James 1:9-11 don’t seem to make sense to us.  James tells us that the humble should “take pride in their high position” and the rich should “take pride in their humiliation”.  I’m thinking that your first thought at reading this passage was “What?!”  Let’s take a closer look at these two verses and see what James is trying to tell us.   So what does James mean by “humble”?  Is he talking about our attitude or our bank account?  The world tells us just the opposite of what James seems to be saying.  The world says we have to work to get ahead, to strive to achieve, to get a high paying job, to do whatever it takes to “make it” in this life.

The first thing to consider is spelled out in another passage from another book of the Bible.  It applies directly to today’s passage from James as it reminds us that we are told to “be content” in whatever life situation we find ourselves.  This verse is found in Philippians 4, verses 11-13.  Here’s what Paul says:

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.   I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

That’s right, Paul says that he has learned that his contentment isn’t a result of his circumstances.  He has learned that contentment is totally under his own control because it’s not a matter of having or being in need.  Paul says that his feeling of contentment is the result of a decision he makes.  He is in control of his feelings.  He chooses to be content regardless of what situation he is in.  And how can he do that?  He does it by recognizing that God is in control in his life and God will give him the strength to deal with whatever comes his way.  Paul wisely says, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”  He also wrote in 2 Corinthians 10:5 that we should “take every thought captive” just as he did.

James is saying that the believer in humble circumstances should rejoice that God knows him, loves him and will take care of him.  That same humble person should rejoice that God is preparing a place for him in eternity which has no bearing on his present circumstances.  As the old hymn says, “This world is not my home, I’m just a passin’ through.  My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.  The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.”  The person, the believing saint living a humble life here knows through faith in God and His word that he is promised a place in the very presence of God.  He knows that even here on earth he has work that God wants him to do and that when he leaves this place he will be in heaven, with Christ, for all eternity.  That attitude, my friends, can change your whole outlook on your present life.

Now what about the other example James spoke of in verse 10?  “But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.”  James is saying that the rich can rejoice in the fact that his ‘ticket to heaven’ has nothing to do with is wealth.  Such a person can take heart that he doesn’t have to worry if he’s done enough, has enough or will gain enough to make it to heaven because he understands that wealth and social position means nothing to God.  It is only when we all, rich, poor and everyone in between, understand that it’s only through faith in Jesus Christ, that childlike faith spoken of in the Bible (Luke 18:17), can anyone find salvation and enter into God’s peace and the promise of eternal life with Him in heaven. 

To put it into a modern context, God is not impressed by your riches, position, or social standing.  He isn’t impressed by your stock portfolio, your savings account balance, or your retirement plan.  These are things that other men look at and may be impressed by.  God's Word doesn't make sense by this worlds standards.  God turns the wisdom of this world upside down, or as it says in 1 Cor. 3:19A “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight.”   

There is a great illustration that I’d like to share with you regarding this very topic.  Please remember, it’s just an illustration or even an exaggeration used to make a point.  Here it is.

 

A man was told by an angel that he was soon to die and he was sad because he had amassed great wealth and didn’t want to part with it.  So the man somehow makes a deal with God that he can bring one suitcase to heaven with whatever he valued the most.  Of course the man filled that suitcase with all the gold he could carry.  On the event of his death he found himself outside the gates of heaven facing St. Peter.  (You know how these stories go, it’s always St. Peter standing outside the gates of heaven.  Not Biblical but presented to make a point.)  Well, St. Peter was amazed to think that anyone would want to bring anything from their formal life on earth into heaven so he asked the man to open up the suitcase so he could see what amazing treasure lay inside.  When the suitcase was opened St. Peter reached inside and pulled out a bar of pure gold.  As St. Peter held the gold bar with one hand he scratched his head with the other in a state of total bewilderment.  He was heard to say loudly, “Why would anyone go to the trouble of bringing a whole suitcase full of pavement to heaven?”  (Ok, I’m not going to explain it.  You’ve gotta think about this for a minute.  If you are still stuck, look for help in Revelation 21:21.)

 

I know it’s a little corny but I think it makes a great point.  The things which we value so much here on earth, from a purely human viewpoint, will have no value in the kingdom of heaven so we shouldn’t be driven by the desire to amass more and more for ourselves.  Or, as one person once told me, “You never see a U-Haul trailer being towed behind a hearse.”

When we are blessed by God here on earth there are strings attached to them.  They are wonderful opportunities, provided by God, for us to use those blessings to help others.  We have the privilege to actually be the hands and feet of God in the sharing and blessing of others.  Here are just a couple verses from 2 Corinthians which speak to that very point.  Maybe, as you read them, they will be speaking to you?

“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”                                                                                                                                        2 Corinthians 9:7, 8

“You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”          2 Corinthians 9:11

One other point that I would share about these last few verses is the phrase “take pride”.   “Take pride” in these passages means to “be glad”.  Be glad that money is not important to God and your relationship to Him.  Again, it’s our attitude, not our position in this life that is important.  Are we surrendered to God and His will?  Are we aware that we have been blessed so that we might share those blessings with others’   It’s been said that you can judge another’s faith by looking at his checkbook to see what he’s spending his blessings on.  That’s an interesting idea don’t you think.

Finally, today, I would like to briefly speak to verse 11 of James 1.  I think we can address it by remembering a very familiar phrase, ‘You can’t take it with you!”  That about sums it up don’t you think?  Maybe we should add one more phrase to it.  How about, “You can’t take it with you so you’d better share it with others while you can.”  I think I’ll leave you with this thought.  It’s a couple of verses from Jeremiah, chapter 9.  You can read it in your own Bible as well in verses 23 and 24.

“Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgement, and righteousness in the earth.  For in these things I delight, says the Lord.”

 God’s blessings on you as you continue to grow in your knowledge and love of the Lord.  Until next time.