Sermon Tone Analysis

James 1:9-11

Rich Man, Poor Man

 

“Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away.

For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes.

So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.”[1]

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he Word of God is countercultural and counterintuitive.

Though modern theological thought stresses the need for individuals to endeavour to be acceptable in the sight of social mavens, God’s Word presents the sorrowful observation that the whole of human existence is contaminated by sin.

Consequently, we are easily swayed by a person’s social standing or their financial worth.

If we are impressed by anyone, it should be that the person knows God, or rather is known by God.

James addresses this issue early in his letter to the dispersed Jewish Christians of the First Century.

The issue is of such significance that he will address the tendency of Christians to exalt people on the basis of social standing or on the basis of net worth.

James will constantly remind his readers that we are to avoid favouritism toward people, instead esteeming godliness and righteousness.

In order to introduce this vital topic and to explore the issues involved, join me in study of the text for this day.

*Boasting that is Encouraged* — “Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation.”

Two people are in view as James begins this portion of his letter.

He speaks in generalities as he identifies a brother Christian, and a wealthy outsider.

It is important to keep in mind that James is speaking of Christians.

When he speaks of “the lowly brother,” do not overlook the fact that he identifies him as a “brother.”

Christians are identified as belonging to “the brotherhood” [*1 Peter **2:17*], because it is composed of brothers in Christ.

Ladies, because we live in a world that has never learned the English tongue, the concept is inclusive, embracing even distaff members of the community of faith.

Generally, boasting is seen in a negative light in the New Testament.

We could multiply examples, but a few verses should demonstrate the veracity of that statement.

Paul cautions Jewish believers that their boasting exposes them to serious consequences.

“You who boast in the law dishonour God by breaking the law” [*Romans **2:23*].

Later, in the same letter, he stresses the need for faith and the exclusion of boasting when he writes, “What becomes of our boasting?

It is excluded.

By what kind of law?

By a law of works?

No, but by the law of faith” [*Romans **3:27*].

Writing the Corinthians, Paul is adamant that “no human being [can] boast in the presence of God [*1 Corinthians **1:29*].

In fact, he will ask these same proud Christians, “What do you have that you did not receive?

If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it” [*1 Corinthians 4:7*]?

He concludes, “Your boasting is not good.

Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump” [*1 Corinthians 5:6*]?

Defending himself against accusations that he is not a “real” apostle like those whom he refers to as “super-apostles,” Paul tells the Corinthians, “We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart” [*2 Corinthians 5:12*].

Echoing a statement made to the Romans [cf.

*Romans 2:23*], Paul warns the Galatians, “Even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh” [*Galatians 6:13*].

In the encyclical we have received as the Book of Ephesians, one of the best known passages tell us that salvation is the gift of God through faith.

Then, clarifying what is meant, the Apostle informs readers that salvation is “not a result of works, so that no one may boast” [*Ephesians 2:8, 9*].

From this brief review of cautionary statements concerning boasting, I learn that we must not boast of self.

Our merits and our worth are transient at best and unworthy of boasting.

Boasting in individual accomplishments or personal position excludes grace, assuming pride for something over which we ultimately have no control.

Though we may work hard, preparing ourselves for success, it is God who blesses us with quick minds and capable bodies to accomplish all that we do and to achieve whatever position we occupy.

Our responsibility is to glorify Him in all that we have and do.

Neither should we boast against others.

To despise others, as men identified with the world do, is a sign that we have forgotten who made the difference.

The apostle rebukes such people: “Why do you judge your brother [*Romans **14:10*, *NET Bible*]?”  Tertullian translates this verse, “Why do you nothing him?”

He who makes others nothing forgets that God is all in all to himself.

Grace is totally different: “We ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray and slaves to various passions and pleasures” [*Titus 3:2, 3*].

Think of what you */are/* in such a way that you do not forget what you */were/*/ /before grace made the difference.

There is, however, boasting that is commendable before the Lord.

If boasting is for the glory of God, to exalt God, not yourselves, it is commendable and praiseworthy.

“My soul makes its boast in the Lord” [*Psalm 34:2*].

Boasting of God’s goodness, His mercy, or His power is commended in the Word of God.

We have nothing to boast of but our God—not wealth or riches or wisdom, but the Lord alone.

Jeremiah writes, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth.

For in these things I delight, declares the Lord’” [*Jeremiah **9:23**, 24*].

Remembering our privileges, we can boast in what we have in Christ.

Translated literally, *Romans 5:3* states, “We boast in our sufferings.”

The apostle does not say, “We must boast */of/* our sufferings,” rather, we are to boast */in/* sufferings.

Such boasting is possible only as we learn to rejoice in trials.

This godly boasting honours Christ who gives us strength in the trials we face.

Therefore, we are not ashamed when we suffer as Christians.

Paul’s teaching is explained by Peter, “If anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name” [*1 Peter **4:16*].

The world thinks it is a disgrace, and you think it glorious to suffer for Christ.

Look forward to the reward.

This is how we may take pride in God and his ways.

The “lowly brother” likely refers to Christians who are enduring trials.

Consequently, they are probably impoverished through the actions of their persecutors.

In any case, they do not enjoy social standing within society, and hence, they are lowly.

The author of the Hebrews Letter describes what these early Christians were experiencing when he writes, “Recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated.

For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one” [*Hebrews **10:32**-34*].

James contrasts the boasting of the “lowly brother” with “the rich.”

I do not believe that “the rich” refers to Christians.

James is generalising, to be certain.

We cannot make absolutes out of generalisations, but he saw the rich as those who persecuted the lowly.

As an example of what he is speaking of, consider the following accusation found later in the letter.

“Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.

Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten.

Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire.

You have laid up treasure in the last days.

Behold, the wages of the labourers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.

You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence.

You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.

You have condemned; you have murdered the righteous person.

He does not resist you” [*James 5:1-6*].

Clearly, James neither sees “the rich” as godly, nor does he hold their actions as exemplary.

Nevertheless, the “lowly brother” is to boast “in his exaltation”; He is to rejoice in the knowledge that Christ is with Him.

Verses such as the following are virtually foreign to our theology in modern Canada.

“It has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake” [*Philippians 1:29*].

Modern Christians seek the glory, but reject any suffering for the cause of Christ.

We are instantly ready to quit the race should someone hurts our feelings, but we really know nothing of opposition because of our Faith.

How we need to face up to the words of the author of the Hebrews Letter.

“In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood” [*Hebrews 12:4*]!

Dear people, as a congregation, I urge us to watch out that we don’t slip into the trap of considering the worth of a person by the size of their portfolio.

In the church of the Living Son of God, the poor are every bit as valuable as the wealthy to Christ the Lord.

He died because of sin—all sin!  Therefore, we must not permit ourselves to become “Sunday morning Christians” who invite others to attend the services on the basis of their standing in society.

Instead, we must look for spiritual worth in all people, seeking godliness in those whom we will esteem and those whom we will seek to lead us.

“The rich” are to boast in their humiliation.