AM Bible Study Group; March 21, 2012

James 1:9-11

Theme: In a time of trial and loss, we need to keep our eyes on our true worth in Christ.

A story is told of the wealthy publisher William Randolf Hearst. A renowned art collector, he sent his agents around the world searching for a particular piece of art that he desired. He saw it in a book and immediately wanted to add it to his existing collection. After much searching, they eventually located it—in his existing collection!

As Christians, we are all too often ignorant of the great riches that are already ours in Christ. In Revelation, Jesus spoke to the church in Smyrna and said, “I know your works, tribulation and poverty (but you are rich) . . .” (Revelation 2:9). Likewise, Paul once prayed for the Ephesian believers that their spiritual eyes would be opened, “that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” (Ephesians 1:18). Because of our ignorance of our true riches in Christ, we easily fall into measuring our own worth—or the worth of others—on the basis of the material things they possess. Such temporal, fading ‘riches’ become the standard by which we measure ourselves and others; when, instead, we’re called to measure ourselves and others on the basis of the infinitely greater riches that are ours only through Jesus Christ. In this passage, Pastor James teaches us to evaluate our true worth on the basis of true riches.

The context of this passage is very important to keep in mind. The people to whom James wrote were displaced Christians (v. 1). In all likelihood, many of them were destitute. As a good pastor, he wrote to encourage them, first, to look to the great result God was bringing about in their trial (vv. 2-4); then, to remember that God is prepared to give wisdom for this trial (v. 5); and then to remind them of the need to be devoted to following through in application of God’s wisdom (vv. 6-8). In the original language, verse 9 begins with a conjunction that connects it to the verses that preceded it; so that this passage carries on the theme of suffering trials.

James here writes to two distinct groups: poor and rich. Both are commanded to glory in something; and both commands are given as if to believers. (This is important; because what James says in verse 12 could not apply to an unbelieving rich person.)

I. THE POOR BELIEVER SHOULD ‘GLORY’ IN HIS ‘EXALTATION’ (v. 9).

A. James acknowledges that certain believers are in a ‘lowly’ or ‘humble’ circumstance.

Jesus Himself knew what that was like. He was born into a poor family (Luke 2:24, see also Leviticus 5:11); and placed in a manger (Luke 2:7). He had no place to lay His head (Luke 9:58). And the grace of our Lord was such that He became poor for our sakes (2 Corinthians 8:9).

B. James, then, calls such brothers to glory in their exaltation. In what ways is the believer in Jesus Christ—even the humblest believer in terms of this world’s riches— truly exalted? They can exalt in the fact that they are:

1. Children of God (John 1:12-13).

2. Heirs of God and fellow hears with Christ (Romans 8:17).

3. Citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20-21).

4. Eternal ‘showcase displays’ of God’s grace (Ephesians 2:4-7).

5. Members together with Christ in fellowship in the Godhead (John 17:20-23).

6. Recipients of an immeasurably great inheritance (1 Peter 1:3-6).

7. Co-regents with Christ (2 Timothy. 2:12; Revelation 20:6).

8. Destined to exercise great authority (1 Corinthians 6:2-3).

II. THE PROSPEROUS BELIEVER SHOULD ‘GLORY’ IN HIS ‘HUMILIATION’ (vv. 10-11).

A. Note that the wealthy brother should also ‘glory’ or ‘boast’. In the original language of this letter, the word ‘brother’ does not appear in verse 10 as it does in verse 9. But it’s clear that the rich person being spoken of in verse 10 is also to be considered a brother in Christ. Otherwise, how could James be asking him to “glory” in his “humiliation”? This isn’t meant to be understood as a condemnation of Christians ever having riches or wealth. A Christian can be rich in this age and richer in the next! But very obviously, there were class distinctions being observed among the people among the people to whom James wrote (see James 2:1-9; 4:1-6; 5:1-6); and the rich believer was not to all such things to be a cause of boasting over others.

B. These believers were to ‘glory’ in a true estimation of their earthly riches.

1. In the light of true spiritual riches, earthly riches are as temporary and as fading as the grass of the field. The Sirocco wind (an eastern wind from the desert) blows on it and scorches it; and within a few brief hours, a lush green field of flowers can become brown and barren. It’s flower falls off, and the beauty of its face is destroyed.

2. Consider what Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 6. The believer who is wealthy is to actually glory in the fact that his riches are only temporary (vv. 6-8). He’s to recognize that a love for riches is dangerous (vv. 9-10); and that they are given to him or her for God’s use (vv. 17-19). What’s more, as the writer of Hebrews tells us, they are not to make riches the object of their hope and confidence (Hebrews 13:5-6).