Real Faith with Feet

A Study in the Book of James

“Don’t Knock Rock Bottom”

James 1:9-11, NIV

9 The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10 But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11 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.

Verse 9

9 The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position.

  • What an apparent oxymoron: “Take pride” in “humble circumstances”.
  • The phrase “humble circumstances” in the Greek, is literally: depressed or oppressed. Figuratively it means “humiliated”.
  • We should rejoice in the humility God is giving us! He’s keeping us from being too proud and haughty to our world.

Verses 10 and 11

10 But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11 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.

  • Likewise, the one who is rich should take humility in their position.
  • The reminder here is not that money is evil or being rich is somehow a sin, but our treasure here on earth is bound to earth. We will not take it will us.
  • Look at how the market has fluctuated back during the dot.com boom. Millionaires were created and broken almost overnight. Our financial security is a delusion.

Our hope is in Christ, not our possessions.