James 1:9-11

James 1:9–11(NIV)

9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.

10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.

11 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.

Now the book of James was written to a community of believers and it was written for us today.

In communities of people you will have all kinds of differences.

Some will be men and some will be women.

Some will be short and some will be tall.

Some will be introverted and some will be extroverted.

James here distinguishes between two classes of people in our first verse as he contrasts the Rich and the Poor.

Now i’ve heard stories about churches that wouldn’t welcome people who didn’t look like them, talk like them or even spend like them.

I have heard stories of teenagers that weren’t welcomed to come to church because they cant put anything in the offering plate.

I’ve also hear stories of people who have a troubled past and background not being welcomed because “Those type of people, all they do is take from you”

Well its those teenagers and it’s those type of people that Jesus died for too!

Who do we think we are to pick and choose who should come?

Now James here in our text gives us a perspective of keeping eternity in view...

THE RICH AND THE POOR

THE POOR

Some of the believers are said to be in humble circumstances. They are low on the social scale.

They are looked down on by others, they are poor and powerless, lacking in keeping up with the jones next door.

These scattered Jewish Christians would be in these humble circumstances and would be scoffed at by there fellow Jewish Christians, even disowned by their extended families.

The NIV says that these who are poor are to take pride in their high position.

The ESV says they are to boast in their exaultation

and

the KJV says they should rejoice that they are exalted.

What is the believers high position and exaltation exactly?

It is not a arrogance or self righteousness.

Their high position is one that they should rejoice in how God see’s them which is far more important than how other’s in the world see’s them!

Their high position is that they went from...

Sinner’s to Saints

The world’s pawn to a child of the king of kings

To being forgotten to a God who see’s

From tragedy to triumph

To a world that says they are nothing and have nothing..

they can say that because of Christ they have and are everything!

James then turns his attention now to the Rich...

THE RICH

James says that the rich should take pride in their low position and humiliation.

There is something mentioned in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke of an unforgettable illustration mentioned by Jesus.

He pointed out the difficulty rich people will have in entering the kingdom of heaven as he shared that it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle then for a rich person to enter heaven.

Jesus identified that the problem being in the human will and not God’s willingness to save for he said “What is impossible with men is possible with God!

This low position that James mentions is that as the poor boasts in the Lord and have everything they need in him,

then the same is for the rich in their low position and that they are made equal with the poor in God’s eyes.

In their low position...

They no longer have to depend on riches for their security

They have been accepted by Christ

They share in the privilege of identifying with Christ in his suffering

The poor should be glad that riches mean nothing to God; otherwise poor people would be considered unworthy.

The rich should be glad that wealth means nothing to God, because wealth is easily lost.

We find true wealth by developing our relationship with God.

THE FADING FLOWER

James uses this illustration of a flower in the field. How it quickly fades away and dies.

He compares it to us too. As flowers and riches are here they can fade away quickly.

I think the warning that we can have too, is that in the pursuits of riches, we can fade away too.

i think of that football player Damar Hamlin who had cardiac arrest while playing in the game. As quickly as he got it he fell down and was pronounced dead on the field.

could his millions of dollars save him? No. Many who went to that game thought they were going to see a football game but what they participated in was a prayer meeting.

they literally saw him come back to life! America had a revival because we realized our dependence wasn’t on our idols of fame and fortunes but on the God who can bring the dead back to life.

THE GUARANTEE OF COMPLETION

We don’t have many guarantee’s that prove true but one that we can count on is the guarantee of the completion of this life.

Whether we die or Jesus comes back. Our text gives us some things to consider....such as...

THE SHORTNESS OF LIFE

We all know well that life on earth is brief at best. The longer we live the quicker time passes.

Life is brief, and we must maintain a proper focus while living here on earth. We only have one opportunity to live our lives for the Lord.

Jam. 4:14—Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

We also need to consider the...

THE CHANGING SEASONS OF LIFE

James 1:11 says...

11For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed.

The principle here is that much of what we place value and focus on is temporary.

Many today spend most of their time and energy on things that will not last.

We could build the finest homes and the most beautiful landscapes, but eventually it will need repair.

We can spend all our time and money on anti wrinkle cream but eventually age will take its toll and begin to show.

James knew that much emphasis was being placed on vanity. We must ensure that our lives are lived for the Lord and in light of His holiness

Now compare all what James says to the story of the pharisee and the tax collector..

THE PHARISEE & THE TAX COLLECTOR (Luke 18:11)

The pharisee is standing there and praying “Thank God im not like those who cheat, are unjust, the adulterers and the tax collector.” I fast twice a week and I give tithes.

Then you have the tax collector, who looks down and beats their chest asking God to be merciful to him.

Jesus said that the tax collector was made right with God and not the pharisee.

Because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled but the one who humbles himself will be exalted!

APPLICATION

There is certainly application for those who are lost in this passage. I have to ask: What or who are you trusting in? We all have an appointment with death.

One day this life will be over and we will all face God. Do you know for certain you will go to heaven when you die?

Have you trusted Christ as your Savior?

Christian, this passage has much to say to us as well. What is our main priority in this life? Where do we devote our time and energy?

Are we using what God has blessed us with in a way that pleases Him? Do we desire to serve the Lord and please Him above all else?