Wisdom for Every Trial
James Bible Study
The Trial of Humility
In a country where the dollar is king and people spend their entire lives in the pursuit of financial gain, I am forced to pause over this passage. America is one of the richest nations on the planet, if not the richest. We spend money we don’t have to maintain the appearance of wealth, as well as the lifestyle and upkeep of wealth.
If you’re not rich in America, you’re on some process to get there. Businesspeople talk about being a servant to others, a friend to the customer, or building business and consumer relationships for one reason–the bottom line.
With our deep pockets and shallow friendships, we come to this text in utter shock and horror. We have no idea how to take James’ statements in verses 9-12. Some of us will make them hurt less when they hit, claiming that the passage isn’t really about what it’s plainly about. Others will say, “Yeah, but I’m not as rich as the next guy.”
But if I can’t turn the wealth I have made down to follow Jesus, I am doomed to fail at hearing and adhering to James’s wise counsel. James is just getting started with the trials we face. So lets take a look at what this man had to say about the rich and the poor.
James Passage
9 Now let the brother or sister in humble circumstances boast in his high position, 10 but the wealthy in his humiliation, because like a flower of grass, he will pass away. 11 For the sun rose with scorching heat and dried up the grass and its flower fell off, and the beauty of its appearance was lost – likewise also the wealthy in his pursuits will fade away. 12 Blessed is the man who endures a trial, whatbecause after the approval happens, he will receive the crown of life, which He promised to those who keep loving Him.
Thought Flow
This passage contrasts the results of being a poor Christian or a rich person. The humble or lowly brother (Christian) actually has a high position while the rich person will be humbled. James uses illustrations from nature of grass, flowers, and how the sun demolishes them with scorching heat. This is how the wealthy person will come to an end.
He pronounces a blessing for those who endure trials and are approved by God. They will receive the crown that gives eternal life that God promises to those who love Him.
Surrounding Context
This passage contrasts the results of being a poor Christian or a rich person. The humble or lowly brother (Christian) actually has a high position while the rich person will be humbled. James uses illustrations from nature of grass, flowers, and how the sun demolishes them with scorching heat. This is how the wealthy person will come to an end.
He pronounces a blessing for those who endure trials and are approved by God. They will receive the crown that gives eternal life that God promises to those who love Him.
Dig Deeper
James moves to the trial a poor Christian faces when he suffers lack financially. The rich person has the opposite problem, trusting God and being humbled in His judgment. You see, James is going to approach the next trial, humility, with intentions on helping both the wealthy and the pauper deal with wealth, or the lack of wealth. How do rich and poor people act in a world that favors the wealthy and disgraces the poor?
James 1:9. James commands the lonely and poor brother or sister in humble circumstances to boast or exalt in his high position. This seems just as much a paradox as rejoicing when trials come our way! This word for lowly refers to a state of affairs. It represents the economic and social status of poor people.
People look down on them because they lack the means to take care of themselves and their families. Being poor can cause greed, envy, coveting, and stealing. Some people might say they are poor because they are lazy. Others become poor for a time if they have lost their job or some other means they once had.
In our social and economic systems today, some people have become poor or grown up as poor, learning how to take advantage of the system that was designed to help them get out of poverty. Israel had systems in place to take care of the poor and required the poor to do some work.
For example, God commanded land owners to leave some of their crop on the edges for people on the fringes of society (the poor, widows, orphans, and foreigners) (Leviticus 19:9-10; 23:22; Deuteronomy 24:19-21). But the people had to gather from it and prepare it themselves. The American welfare system is designed to help people in poor circumstances to find work. But any system can be abused.
Jesus made an assertion or two about this sort of phenomenon in His teachings, and the entire New Testament supports the same issue. At one point, He simply stated a reversal of roles in that those who humble themselves will be exalted and those who exalt themselves will be humbled (Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11). In the Kingdom of God, these roles have been switched, turned on their heads so that the principles the world operates on are opposite the principles the Kingdom operates on.
How can the poor brother or sister boast in his high estate? What is James talking about here? The high estate is the spiritual connection with God and inheritance of heaven for eternity. Poor Christians received their reward later. But that is why they can exalt and thank God despite their earthly circumstances.
James may have gotten his teaching from Jesus (Luke 14:11). Jesus told the parable about the rich man and Lazarus in the afterlife (Luke 16:20ff), the response to the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:16ff), the widow at the temple who gave all she had in coins (Mark 12:41-44), and the list goes on. We repeatedly see Jesus ignoring the world system of who’s the richest and the best and focusing on the heart, not the bank. The poor Christian is humbled now and will be exalted when Christ returns.
How can the poor brother or sister boast in his high estate? What is James talking about here? The high estate is the spiritual connection with God and inheritance of heaven for eternity. Poor Christians received their reward later. But that is why they can exalt and thank God despite their earthly circumstances.
James may have gotten his teaching from Jesus (Luke 14:11). Jesus told the parable about the rich man and Lazarus in the afterlife (Luke 16:20ff), the response to the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:16ff), the widow at the temple who gave all she had in coins (Mark 12:41-44), and the list goes on. We repeatedly see Jesus ignoring the world system of who’s the richest and the best and focusing on the heart, not the bank. The poor Christian is humbled now and will be exalted when Christ returns.
In a Word…
The Greek word ταπεινός (tapeinos) can mean humble, lowly, poor, or humiliation. This word occurs 8 times in Scripture (Matthew 11:29; Luke 1:52; Romans 12:16; 2 Corinthians 7:6; 10:1; James 1:9, 10; 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). James uses it twice, in 1:9 and 10 ironically. The other occurrences mostly referred to those who are humble. It is used a couple of times for the poor.
James 1:10. Not only does the role reverse for the poor brother, but also for the rich person. James uses irony to show how the earthly state of the poor and rich are reversed in God’s judgment and eternity. This closely resembles Jesus’s parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:20ff).
The irony occurs as James uses the same word for humble and lowly that he used with the poor, humble brother to describe the eternal state of the rich–humiliation. Jesus referred to treasures that do not last on earth and to lay up treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 12:33-34). Here, James does not refer to the destruction of the earthly treasure of the rich. He speaks about the final judgment of the rich person in eternity. He is rich on earth and poor in eternity.
He likens the wealthy person to a flower that fades away and dies. James is taking into account the rich person who desires and chases after wealth. His life’s goal is to gain riches and glory for himself. As we will see later in his letter, he condemns this attitude that searches out profit (James 4:13-17).
A flower is beautiful and has splendor when it blossoms. Many people look to the wealthy as the epitome or best picture of what life’s all about. They see all of these people rolling in the dough as beautiful and they want what those pretty people have: |wealth and fame.
But the core image produced here is not the beauty of that lifestyle. It is the shortness, the brevity of the image. You see, a flower does something more than looks beautiful. It also dies very quickly and is here a short time. This is why I cannot understand why a woman would want a flower (something that dies within a week) as a symbol of a man’s undying love. It doesn’t make any sense to me. postcard
Tell Me More
James is hard on the rich throughout his letter. He condemns the wealthy more than once. Does this mean that wealth is bad? We must determine if James is referring to poor and rich Christians, or to poor Christians and rich people. If it is rich Christians and poor Christians, that creates a different dynamic in the body of Christ.
If he refers to poor Christians who are being brutalized by the rich, he presents a challenge to both groups. It could be that James addresses both rich Christians and wealthy non-Christians in different parts of his letter. In this passage of James 1:9-11, it seems that he refers to poor Christians (brother or sister) and non-Christian wealthy people.
The description of the wealthy person passing away as part of God’s judgment appears to favor non-Christian rich people. A rich Christian would still gain eternal inheritance of heaven and not be judged by God.
The other factor we must consider is the motivation of the rich person (Christian or non-Christian). Are they living to worship and gain wealth for themselves or are they using the wealth God has blessed them to bless others and further God’s purposes on the earth (helping the poor, missionaries, and the like).
James 1:11. Now James waxes eloquent on the image and adds some Old Testament background to it. That’s probably where he came up with the image in the first place. Isaiah 40:7 speaks specifically in these poetic ways about the short life of the beautiful flower. Jesus has also used this imagery in His teaching (Matthew 6:28).
In context, Isaiah is talking about how the Word of God will outlast the earth. But James is using this imagery to show that the wealthy person can gain all he wants, but he will not be on the earth for long. The point of the poetry, so wonderfully and artistically wrapped, is that life is short. Why waste life on something that does not last beyond yourself?
You see how practical James’ wisdom is? He uses poetry and image to get to the core issue of waste, and makes a pun on the idea all at the same time. What a waste it is to vainly seek after things that do not last! Life is a short waste but searching and seeking after wealth instead of eternal life and caring more about a coin than a person smacks of waste. This may remind you of Jesus’ point in the parable about the rich man who built bigger barns and God killed him in the end (Luke 12:16-21).
After comparing the rich person to a flower that fades away when the sun scorches the earth, James says the rich man will also pass away while he pursues his way of life. If our pursuits are not in line with God’s will, the character He is changing in us, or the eternal perspective of knowing Christ, it will come to nothing and be a waste of our life and time.
Tell Me More
If you look at your Bible or other Bibles you may notice that most Bible versions put verse 12 with verses 13-18. They connect the word for trials in 1:12 with with the verbs of temptation in verses 13 and following. Verse 12 actually fits best as a hinge between James 1:2-11 and James 1:13-18 However, for our study, I believe verse 12 goes with the previous section of James 1:2-11.
My reason for this is James’s word selection in 1:12. It fits better with 1:2-4. The words that pair together are trials, endurance, and approval. You do not see any of these words in 1:13-18 except for the word for trials. It appears as the word for temptation. But trials in 1:2 is the same contextual meanings for the word for trials in 1:12.
The words in 1:13-14 are not the general word for trials but the specific word for temptation, and they are verbs while the words in 1:2 and 1:12 are nouns. I believe James does this because he is moving on to the specific trial of temptation. So, even though we are covering James 1:12 with James 1:9-11, verse 12 goes with the first major section.
James 1:12. James gives a beatitude to just like Jesus’s Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12; Luke 6:20-23) applies it to the person who stands the test of trials and has gained strengthened faith. This person has endured the trial with God’s approval. The word for approval combines the test of the trial with the result of God’s approval for enduring it. We need God’s help to give us endurance to stand up under the pressure of the trial.
Jesus gives the reward of the crown of life to the person who endures trials with God’s approval at the end of time. I believe this will be during the judgment seat of Christ right after the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Corinthians 5:10). This is the crown that gives life, probably eternal life with God forever in heaven.
The crown of life is a gift from God. Notice that this is a promise that has a prerequisite or condition. Not everyone receives the crown of life. It is only given to those who endure a trial and are approved by God. He gives the crown of life to those who love Him. This is not the emotion of love. It is a deep-seated commitment to Christ that is shown by a believer’s actions.
God is the only Person who can fulfill His promise faithfully and never go back on His word (Numbers 23:19). If you love God and serve Him well, you will receive the crown of life. God’s promise is a guarantee. From His first promise to Noah (Genesis 9:8-17) until the end of time, God will fulfill every promise He has made. You can take His promise to the bank.
In a Word…
The Greek word πειρασμός (peirasmos) can mean trial, test, or temptation. It appears 21 times in the New Testament (Matthew 6:13; 26:41; Mark 14:38; Luke 4:13; 8:13; 11:4; 22:28, 40, 46; Acts 20:19; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Galatians 4:14; 1 Timothy 6:9; Hebrews 3:8; James 1:2, 12; 1 Peter 1:6; 4:12; 2 Peter 2:9; Revelation 3:10).
In the Gospels and Acts, it almost always refers to temptation. Paul uses the word for the meaning of temptation or trial in context. The writers of the General Epistles mostly use it for trials. James uses the noun form twice (James 1:2, 12). The verbal form occurs 38 times in the New Testament. James uses it twice in James 1:13-14.
Tell Me More
James talks about the crown of life, or the crown that gives life. There are five crowns rewarded to believers in the New Testament.
- Crown of Life. Mentioned in James 1:12 and Revelation 2:10. It is rewarded to those saints who suffer trials, persecution, and martyrdom but are approved by God for enduring the test.
- Crown of Righteousness. Mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:8. This crown is rewarded to those who live a righteous life, desire to see righteousness in the world, and are waiting in hope for Christ’s reappearing.
- Crown of Glory. Mentioned in 1 Peter 5:4. This is the unfading crown rewarded to those who have shepherded and led God’s people with excellence, integrity, and faithfulness. It will be rewarded by Christ at His appearing, probably referring to the rapture.
- Crown of Pride (or Boasting). Mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 2:19). This unusual crown will not be given to individuals but reflects the mutual joy between pastor and congregation.
- Imperishable Crown. Mentioned in 1 Corinthians 9:25. Paul contrasts the imperishable crown believers receive against the perishable wreaths athletes win in the Olympic games.
These crowns are special not because they have material value but because God recognizes the character and actions, faithfulness, and perseverance of a life lived in service to Jesus. They are rewards for faithfulness in areas of leadership, trials, and other facets of the Christian faith.
What's James Saying?
James really saying that wealth is bad? In biblical times, wealth was popularly seen as God’s favor and blessing. We can see examples of this with Abraham, Job, kings, and others. Wealth was not just money, but lands, cattle, family members, etc. Possessions were a sign of wealth and wealth was understood as a sign of God’s favor. Conversely, poor people were seen as people rejected by God, or sinful people.
James is not declaring wealth evil. He is declaring the pursuit of wealth and evil practices with wealth evil. Mistreating others and being boastful about your wealth and how you made it is the problem for Pastor James. That is the key to understanding James in this passage.
He is negative against the wealthy throughout his letter. He rants and raves not against wealth, but people who think that wealth is the goal of life! Instead, the goal of life is to serve the Lord, to live Kingdom character, and to love God more than anything else in your life.
The rich person is brought low because his prized possessions mean nothing and are a total waste. But the humble or poor Christian does not worry about this trial of living life without wealth. You can take to heart that God is not favoring someone else. You have God’s favor and do not have to work for it or earn it. Take heart in that high privilege that God has called you His friend.
Another issue that must be brought up in the meaning of this passage is that of role reversal. When the world says that wealth is all there is in purpose and meaning to life, God reverses that decision and concentrates on the poor.
When the world system decides worth by dollars and cents, God determines worth by our relationship with Him. There is a reversal in the Kingdom, a whole different economy. You don’t get ahead by having more! You get ahead by serving, loving, and sacrificing. That’s what God’s Kingdom is all about!
We must remember that there are no social and economic classes (Galatians 3:29). This Kingdom of God is a classless society. We are not out to hold monetary things against one another. Our goal is to love one another and bring others in. Grace is free and that we can’t purchase it.
Nothing belongs to us; it all belongs to God. We are just passing through this world and we’re strangers in this foreign land. Forget about socio-economic classes that are here today but gone tomorrow. Look deeper than the world does and see the treasure God sees when he looks at every person on the planet.
God does not pay attention to bank accounts; He sees people that He would very much like to make perfect and complete. No longer is there a hierarchy among believers of status. We are all equal in Christ, all heirs of God’s gift. The gospel turns the tables so that social structures are reversed in the light of eternity.
You are blessed when you face trials and come out approved by God. No one says they seek trials. But you receive a precious promise from Jesus–that you will receive the crown of life. You will have eternal life. You can guarantee the promise from God. You may suffer now, but you will receive your reward.
James's Themes
We have just discussed James 1:9-12. James addresses the rich and poor five times in his small letter (James 1:9-11, 26-27; 2:1-13; 4:13-17; 5:1-6).
In the Bible
The wealthy and poor appear in the pages of Scripture in both the Old Testament and New Testament. In the Old Testament, the wealthy were seen generally to have received God’s blessing. God tells Abraham that he will make the families of the earth blessed through Abraham’s wealth. People saw the wealthy as God’s blessing on them, but that is not always the case even in the Old Testament.
In the New Testament, there is a general sense that wealth is negative. However, one must take into account the contexts of those negative passages about the wealthy. More often than not, it is not wealth itself that is negative but the reasons and motives for creating and amassing wealth. text
Wisdom for Today
James isn’t dogging every rich person, Christian or not! He’s dogging anyone who puts some other pursuit ahead of knowing Christ and serving God to the fullest. James is really striking at the inner motive. Why do you have riches and what do you do with them?
We must be careful when it comes to class distinctions. I have known wealthy Christians who give an enormous amount of their wealth away to others in service or to missionaries. Money isn’t the issue. Your heart is. Can you walk away from all of your possessions if you were asked to? Maybe that might be a better indicator of where your motives and heart are.
Let’s stop noticing people the way the world does. It’s time we started looking at people through God’s eyes. Give others the benefit of the doubt. We cannot know everything the person is suffering from, whether it be poverty or the allure of riches.
Monitor your heart, motives, and desires. Do you do things so that you look good or gain some other benefit? Ask God to search your heart because He can see what others–and sometimes we–cannot (Psalm 139:23-24). Keep representing Jesus. Leave the rest up to God.
Ask yourself these questions about the rich and poor and approval from God:
- How do I respond to someone who looks rich? How do I respond to someone who looks poor?
- Do I let a person’s social or economic status make me think of them differently or act differently around them? Do I judge them for it? Why does it matter so much to me?
- How do I face every trial with confidence in God for the best outcome? Am I more concerned with the rewards I may receive or my relationship with God?
- How do I grow closer to God through my trials and let Him decide my rewards? text
Starter Prayer
Lord Jesus, help me to see everyone I meet through the lens of Your Kingdom and Your desire for them to know and worship You. I do not want to be tied up in the labels of this world. Help me not to see people through the socio-economic lenses this world uses. Teach me how to serve You with excellence, enduring until the end through every trial. Thank You for giving me the power of endurance. I worship You and offer my best to You today. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.