“Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.” – James 1: 9-11 (NLT)
We often consider financial security as a blessing from God. But do we ever take a moment to consider that some of the most depressed and dispirited people in history have been those who couldn’t buy joy and happiness?
In verses 9-11, James addresses those believers living in two completely different socioeconomic realities: the haves and the have-nots.
“Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them.”
In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5). The meek Jesus was talking about were those in lowly positions. Having no wealth or material possessions, they were largely overlooked and neglected by society. But Christ held a special place in his heart for those people. He could relate to them, for he too came from humble circumstances. His earthly father wasn’t wealthy, but rather a simple carpenter. He was quite accustomed to living a very modest lifestyle. Being Jesus’ half-brother, James was quite familiar with how Jesus was unimpressed with wealth and affluence.
According to James, poor believers seem to have a spiritual advantage over the wealthy, for the lowly are reminded each day of their need for the Lord’s provision. Unlike those who cling to their wealth, their only true security is in God.
“And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them, for they will fade away like a little flower in the field.”
James places enormous value in humility, and for good reason: it is an attribute of Jesus. When a rich young man came to him one day and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” Jesus gave him the Biblical standard, “Keep the commandments.” But the young man wasn’t satisfied, for he knew there was something he still lacked. After more discussion, Jesus finally told him: “If you want to be perfect, go sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then, come follow me.” Scripture tells us that when the young man had heard this, he went away sad because he had great wealth (Matthew 19:16-22).
The young man asked the right question. He asked the right person. He was given the right answer from the right person. But it wasn’t the answer he wanted to hear. This was the one thing he wasn’t willing to part with to have eternal life – he was more concerned about this life than the life to come. This man didn’t possess great wealth; great wealth possessed him.
There are some trials in which money offers no solution. It cannot bring lost loved ones back to life, nor can it heal a broken heart or cure a deadly disease. But what wealthy people can do a lot more readily than poor people is take comfort in their high position in life rather than seek comfort in God.
James encourages us to find true value in our identity in Christ, and not let worldly wealth define who we are or who we are not. Both the rich and the humble will fade away like flowers… but those rooted in faith will endure forever.
Questions Worth Considering
1 How can I develop a humble mindset that values personal growth and spiritual wellbeing as the ultimate success, rather than relying solely on worldly standards of prosperity?
2 Reflecting on the James’ analogy of the fading flower, how can I invest my time and energy in activities that contribute to lasting impact and fulfillment rather than short-lived pleasures and pursuits?
3 Reflecting on the temporary nature of wealth and material possessions, what steps can I take to cultivate contentment and gratitude for what I have instead of constantly chasing after fleeting desires?
Former Blackout Artist 