James 1:9-11

Passage

Let the brother who is of low status boast in his high position and the wealthy one of his low status, since like a blossom of meadow grass he will cease to exist.  For the sun rises with enough heat to burn.  It even withers the grass, its flower falls off, and its beauty is destroyed.  In the same way, even the rich in his business pursuits will fade from existence.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

One of the precious things about this opening to James is his ability to speak of wealth from a very true perspective.  James is not interested in saving feelings.  He speaks about the poor being lifted up and the wealthy being brought low.  It is often said that the Bible – especially the book of James – brings to Christians what they most need to hear even if they do not desire to hear it.  James has a knack for speaking truth boldly and bluntly.

Where can you go besides the Bible and find truth as you need to hear it?  What is the difference between truth as you need to hear it and truth as you want to hear it?  Specifically for you, what is truth you need to hear versus truth that you want to hear?

Second Thought:

James talks briefly about the elevation of the poor.  The brother who is in low status is elevated.  This is a teaching that James can most certainly trace back to Jesus.  How many times does Jesus give us a saying about the first being last and the last being first?  How many times does Jesus speak of being a slave to God?  How many times does Jesus talk in parables about putting ourselves in the lowest position at a banquet?  Christianity is founded on this idea of humbleness, lowness, and receiving our validation from God.  This is why this teaching is so powerful.  When we truly learn that we have value to God we should inherently care less about our so-called value in the world.  The flowers of the world eventually fall off their stalk.  The flowers made from God’s validation shall never pass.

How many poor people are there in the world?  Do you think this message is a message they need to hear?  How can they hear it?  Is this a message you need to hear?

Third Thought:

James spends far more time in this passage talking about the wealthy.  Here’s the dangerous thing about wealth: it allows us to develop a false sense of security.  Wealthy people believe they can provide for themselves.  Wealth is an inherent threat to our ability to depend upon God.  Wealth is an inherent threat to trust.  This doesn’t mean it is a sin to be wealthy, it just means that it is a road fraught with potential peril.  Many will not navigate it with faith intact.  As proof, remember that even the homeless in America are likely a part of the top 20% of wealthy people in the world.  We are a country of immense wealth!  How well is our country navigating our wealth while remembering to depend upon God?  The flowers made from God’s validation shall never pass.  The flowers of the world eventually fall off their stalk.

What does wealth mean to you?  Do you live as though you “provide for yourself?”  If so, what does that ultimately say about your relationship with God?  In either case, where does your security truly rest?

Passage for Tomorrow: James 1:12-15