Thoughts on James 1:9-11

Photo of Great Depression Housing Area

⁹ But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; ¹⁰ and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. ¹¹ For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away. 

It is a difficult thing to think about but life is a journey that will be filled with ups and downs. There will be good times and bad times. You may be incline to glory in the happy moments and grieve in the loses.

Just after James speaks about trials, perseverance, and receiving wisdom from God. Verses 9-11 is a contrast between real joy and false joy. The crash of the economy, the loss or millions of jobs, and home foreclosures paints a grim picture of great loss. James is speaking about the withering of worldly possessions.

When we find joy in the things of this world and mourn the loss of worldly things. We fall into the trap that God does not care and doubt enters our mind. We question wheres God at, in our time of need? Why did He allow this crisis to come upon my family? You see the in verse 8 the double minded man  is a person of faith when things are good but gives up on God when wealth is lost. This is not a person of real faith in God.  This is a person of faith in the things of this world.

The passage speaks about the flowering grass fading away. The sun rises meaning that things are good. The wind blows means now things begin happen, crisis hits us. The flower falls off means loss of worldly possessions. Now the world and our life seems hopeless and we feel destroyed. So too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away. The rich man is a person of faith that begins to place the pursuits of world over the pursuit of God, but in the end he will fade away, just like his possessions.

It is a fine line between serving God and serving the possessions we obtain in this world. Are you a person of possessions as a position of status? Are you seeking the things this world has to offer? Are you a person of faith, but at times place worldly performance over personal devotions?  Are you concern about what others would think of you as a person of faith so you keep quiet? These questions are to challenge you to seek the things of God, because He does not fade away to those that seek Him. Therefore, start today seeking Godly things for these are the real treasures of real life.

Pray with me: O Lord keep me from seeking the things of this world as a means of happiness. Guide me to the treasure of knowledge of you. Keep me humble as I navigate this world. Teach me to share in the blessings I receive. May I find joy in You when loss comes my way. For you are the blossom of real life that continues to make my field beautiful. Amen...