Keeping the Right Perspective

Introduction

Chapter 1 will show us that Faith on the Outside is Seen in our Response. In vv. 2-18 we will see James’ instruction to us regarding our responses to trials. We see in the first 18 verses the positive and negative side that is central to this letter: having a consistent and undivided commitment to God through Christ Jesus.

So again vv. 2-18, James is teaching us how to respond in trials.

Last time in vv. 2-4 we saw that we need to respond correctly to trials, which first and foremost is with joy, then the work of maturing and perfecting ourselves will continue.

In vv. 5-8 we saw that we needed to be aware of our greatest need wisdom. That we must ask in undivided and focused faith for God’s generous and ready supply of wisdom.

James is going to shift from seeking wisdom to what should develop within us during that testing and a bit of a warning about wealth.

To persevere properly in trials we must have God’s eternal perspective in mind

James 1:9–12 AV

9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: 10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. 11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. 12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

1. The Perspective of the Poor

v. 9

James is going to teach us that wealth and our social status are temporary - we should not judge the trial or God’s blessing based on earthly measures.

James may be showing us early on that poverty and wealth may be one of our greatest tests. Remember, a singleness, or wholeness, is important to James when it comes to living our faith on the outside - so whether rich or poor he wants us to have the right perspective of this trial.

A. The Situation of the Poor

Low degree - lowly, poor, humble. The opposite here is haughty or proud.

Look at the attitude of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Luke 1:48 AV

48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

Luke 1:52–53 AV

52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. 53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

We will see this even later in James

James 4:6 AV

6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Here James is describing the economic situation of the poor and lowly believer. Probably a great mean of these Christians had suffered financially and been ostracized by the Jewish community.

B. The Rejoicing of the Poor

While their earthly outlook is not good - they are to look beyond that and rejoice - or take pride / boast - of their high position in heaven.

Jeremiah 9:24 AV

24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

This rejoicing is the idea of boasting and boasting is not always wrong in itself - it matters what is being boasted of or taken pride in.

It can be used in a good sense - delight in, be proud of, rejoice over - we are proud of our kids, or an accomplishment of a loved one.

Our exaltation in Christ is something to be proud of.

So you’re in a trial, maybe a long struggling trial that’s leaving you in a low estate - we are reminded heard to not take the world’s evaluation but God’s.

James is telling us that we who are humble and lowly to ‘take pride’ in the fact that with wisdom we can see through the economic testing and see what it’s maturing is trying to do and the potential benefits it will later bring.

2. The Perspective of the Rich

vv. 10-11

Now he changes gears to the other end of the economic spectrum.

There’s significant debate about this verse. 1) The rich here is unsaved and the instruction from James is irony. 2) The rich man is saved and James is giving him the same type of instruction as the lowly, poor, and humble.

I think the second fits better in this context.

A. The Person Referred To

Jeremiah 9:23 AV

23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:

So James now addresses this rich Christian and the encouragement is to take pride in his low position. That the rich person is not to boast or take pride in their wealth, status, or elevated social standing on earth.

1 Timothy 6:17 AV

17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

His pride should be in his identification with Christ and his people. Now this would be humiliating to him in the eyes of the world.

He is telling the rich man to look to his spiritual identity as the measure of his significance.

B. The Boasting of the Rich

Wealth can lead any person, even Christians, to arrogance, pride. Their faith is sometimes in themselves or their status and finances.

James is going to now help the rich person do this by understanding the temporary nature of all human wealth.

1. The Brevity of Life

Isaiah 40:6–8 AV

6 The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: 7 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. 8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

Psalm 103:15–16 AV

15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. 16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

Here we see the effect of the burning sun - it will cause the grass to pass away.

Life is brief at best!

James 4:14 AV

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.

The older we get, the quicker time passes it seems.

2. The Vanity of Life

He continues, “..it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth.”

Psalm 49:16–17 AV

16 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; 17 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.

We see this in Tucson! Flowers and cactus will bloom in the spring and the scorching summer sun turns everything brown.

We tend to place too much emphasis on the things that are temporary. Even the best things that we build, make, and accomplish will decay and rot away.

3. The Certainty of Death

Life means death! All man’s life will end in death.

Luke 12:16–20 AV

16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

3. The Perspective of God

Both poor and rich Christians must view themselves as God does.

A. The Blessing of Enduring Trials

v. 12a

First of all the idea of enduring trials doesn’t sounds too great to the health and wealth preachers!

But we have to endure - abide, stay under. You don’t need to find a way out of the trial, you need to find a way to endure. And we saw that in vv. 2-8.

Colossians 1:11 AV

11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

Well another motivation to endure is that we are blessed. Let’s talk about this blessed in general before we get to a specific blessing at the end of this verse.

So often we say blessed means happy - and this is true but it is not a sufficient understanding. Technically, you can be blessed and not happy.

Our emotional state may vary with the circumstances of life and those circumstances could be devastating trials.

But we can be sure that enduring trials puts us in a state of blessing - we are fortunate; we are under God’s favor.

B. The Reward in Enduring Trials

v. 12b

We see described here a reward regarding the crown of life.

Revelation 2:10 AV

10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Since the crown is given to someone who endures trials - it might be equated to a winner in a sport.

1 Corinthians 9:25 AV

25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

this crown is life - the promises that those who endure tests are bound to inherit the kingdom of God, the domain of eternal life, and all the rewards that come with that.

The overall purpose here is that we should be encouraged to faithfully endure trials to receive the rewards that God has promised.

CONCLUSION

So, we shouldn’t we swayed in a trial by our financial position. If you’re poor and lowly, just be reminded that you have an exalted state with God. If you’re wealthy and influential, watch out, it’s all gonna burn up anyway, so rejoice in your exalted state with God and your fellow believers.

And endure the trial - it’s a state of blessing, favor, and fortunate. There’s great rewards ahead - a crown of life - everlasting life - certainly superior to any life here.