WORDS TO RICH AND POOR

JAMES 1:9–12

The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position

(James 1:9).

Today we return to our study of the epistle of James. Remember that James begins by discussing suffering and tribulation. Verses 2–8 teach us that we need wisdom as we undergo trials, and that God generously gives it to us if we will only ask. Now James gets more specific.

Many of the early Jewish Christians had lost their property or had been driven from Jerusalem. They had even seen friends and loved ones killed for the sake of the Gospel. Others had suffered as a result of maltreatment by the Romans occupying the land of Palestine. James speaks to people who have been impoverished as a result of such trials, or who simply are poor and don’t have much. He tells them that in Christ they have all riches. Thus, they should rejoice in their wealth.

When James tells us to ask for wisdom (v. 5), he is telling us that we are all to be like Solomon (1 Kings 3:9–10). If we ask for wisdom, as Solomon did, God will give us all kinds of other good things as well (1 Kings 3:11–14). Thus, the poor brother who asks for wisdom in this midst of his trial may find that he has tapped into God’s infinite riches in more ways than one—but only if he is truly seeking wisdom and not wealth for its own sake.

James 1:10–11 addresses the rich. For some reason James does not call them brothers. Perhaps the use of the word brother in verse 9 is to carry over here; or perhaps by rich James means those Jews who have not yet taken up the cross and joined the humble throng of despised Christians. It is clear in James 2:1–7 and 5:1–6 that in those two passages he is addressing rich Jews who were oppressing poor Christians. He warns them to humble themselves under Christ, because their riches are going to fade away very soon. If it is the unconverted Jews who are being addressed here, their riches evaporated in the Jewish War of a.d. 66–70.

So the poor should count themselves rich, and not be resentful. The rich should count themselves poor, and not be proud. Those who have wealth includes most of us today, compared with other times and cultures. Let us beware of looking to our wealth for security, for it will fade. Only in Christ is there true security.

CORAM DEO

Matthew 21–23

Most American Christians have more wealth than believers have ever had, but in a sense it has brought us great poverty. We often feel very secure with our comfort and wealth which will pass away. Identify things you improperly depend on for security. Commit to humbly surrender these to our true security—Christ Jesus.

For further study: 1 Sam. 2:2–8 • Jer. 9:23–24 • Eph. 3:14–21

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