We are looking at the book of James, a Bible author who told it as it is. His teachings challenge the reader to act on and not only hear the Word of God.
In James 1:2-4 we have discussed perseverance under trials. This has been followed by wisdom to know what the Lord is doing in our lives and how to make the right decision (verses 5-8). The next passage is about the rich and humble (verses 9-11) and only in verse twelve James returned to these words: “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
This indicates that both the issues on wisdom, as highlighted in our previous teaching, and those on rich and humble are all included into the trials the Lord uses to form and develop us as discussed in the first few messages on this topic.
“The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 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 man will fade away even while he goes about his business,” (James 1:9-11).
What is being rich and what are humble circumstances? To the middleclass person a bank account of a few million would be handy just so we don’t have to work every day to survive, and we consider those who have such assets rich. To the family in Africa, that lives several people in one twelve by twelve foot corrugated iron structure, rich means to have meat to eat or shoes to wear. To such people the middleclass family with an average size house and one car is extremely rich.
The issue in this passage is the status we have in God’s view. The not-so-rich may also have an obsession with money in that they constantly desire it to make life worth the while, which is why so many play the lottery or turn to crime. To the Lord our status is determined by our faith and obedience. If we really obey the Lord we will never be poor. “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well,” (Matthew 6:31-33). If we live humbly, since we feel materialism robs us from a quality relationship with the Lord, it doesn’t mean we are poor. Because we decide to rather get along with less so we could spend more time serving Jesus instead of working hard to make money so we could live comfortably, we are considered high in God’s social structure.
If, however, we build our social status around what we have accomplished, in other words we feel we are somebody special and should be honoured accordingly; James said that we are actually very low in God’s social structure for “The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted,” (Matthew 23:11-12). These accomplishments can be removed from us in a matter of moments. I know people to whom it happened and if not on earth, certainly in afterlife.
So are we not entitled to be rich? To be frank the answer is no. It is written all over the Bible. If we are gifted to make money we are gifted to give financially (Romans 12:8) and are therefore meant to use our talents to make money and pass it on to God’s Kingdom, but should ourselves remain in humble circumstances so we could have a heavenly reward and a high position with the Lord. We should also not use our riches to extensively look after ourselves for our future (Luke 12:13-21: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2012:13-21&version=NIV1984).
Dear reader, the Lord meant what He wrote when He so adamantly in various ways warned us against materialism that robs us from being rich towards God. When are we going to pass the test and receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him (James 1:12)?
Lord, help me to humble myself so you can have control of all areas of my life.
Thank you Lord that your Word went out from your mouth, via your servant’s pen, and it will not return to you empty, but will accomplish what you desire and achieve the purpose for which you sent it.
Please pass this on if you think others may benefit by it.
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