Faithful Living - Studies from the Book of James
No 4 Poverty Prosperity Perseverance Ch 1:
9-12 - By
Pastor Jack Anderson
Introduction James has been speaking of tests and trials, which
come upon the believer in many sizes, shapes and colours.
He now moves into an area that is so common
to life, its the test of plenty and want.
There's no getting around this test.
We live in a culture, which promotes
materialism, and it has a very strong appeal. We live in a world, where
happiness is equated with prosperity.
The world says, "count it all joy when
you win the lottery, and if you do not win, just keep playing!" James
says, "count it
all joy when you face various trials." What do we really
value in our lives, money, fame, fortune, -- poverty, and trials?
Illustration—William Law wrote in his book " A
Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life"
How ignorant –are they of the nature of religion, the nature of
man and the nature of God, who think that a life of devotion to God is a dull,
uncomforting state, when it is plain and certain that there is neither
comfort nor joy to be found in anything else.
It is important for the Christian to
understand that a life of devotion to God makes for a life of joy. Apostle
Paul writes ---
Philippians 4:11-12 ---Not
that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to
be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how
to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to
be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
It is interesting to notice that in the opening part of his epistle, James
repeatedly sounds out a note of joy. V.2 He
calls for a joyful attitude in the midst of Trials
He tells us to evaluate the benefits of our many Trials. Outlook determines
Outcome and Attitudes determine Action. Trials are profitable.
Illustration--It was George Sweeting who
wrote" A Christian is like a tea bag, he is not worth much until he has
been through some hot water.
Yet if we value the material more than the spiritual, and comfort
more that the forming of a good Christian character, then trials will always
upset us.
In this passage
before us James describes three men:
The Poor man, The Prosperous
and the man who Perseveres
This passages shows that the trials God allows brings all to the one
level.
A Man with
Poverty
James 1:9 Let
the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: KJV
9 Let the lowly brother glory in
his exaltation, NKJ
Low degree--- means humble circumstance. The Greek meaning is
"one who does not rise far above the ground" The word for Exalted
means "Height". If we paraphrase what James is saying
we arrive at an absurdity.
He is saying, " Let the brother,
who does not rise far above the ground, rejoice that he has
height; he has a high position. In purely material terms this makes no sense,
but we must keep in mind that James is speaking in spiritual terms.
Many of the Christians in the days of James were slaves of the lowest
economic levels. James knew that too often the test of poverty could
cause a person to become bitter at life and with those around them. When we
are looking at hard times of poverty, we should trust God and glory in the
truth that He will never leave us.
Low Degree does not mean that we are to cast out poverty and to
name it and claim it.
There are some, who are poor and do not have
an abundance of material things.
Jesus said--Mat
26:11 for ye have the poor always with you.
The poor believer needs to
remember, that their God is "bigger and better" than
any earthly possession they might desire.
As Christians we must always rejoice that we belong
to a heavenly realm. We should never look at riches and poverty in the same
light as the unregenerate man.
We are of great worth to God, and we should rejoice in the spiritual things that
we can never loose, and we should not give way to bitterness.
The poorest Saints can rejoice, because, of their high Position in Christ.
Rejoice that their names are written down in heaven, as those who have been
redeemed by the blood of the Lamb of God.
They can rejoice, in their adoption
into God’s family as His son and daughters. They are now Royal family; heirs of
the kingdom and joint heirs with Christ, and they Minister in Royal Priesthood.
They can rejoice in the hope of glory to come.
Rom 5:2 by
whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice
in hope of the glory of God. (KJV)
Phil 3:20 for our
conversation "Citizenship" is in heaven; from whence also we look
for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
It is God’s Grace, which has
elevated the poor man to new heights of Blessing.
By Sovereign Grace, the brother of low degree, is now walking in a new way" the path of
righteousness. He is now wearing a new wardrobe.
The filthy garments of his sin are gone, and
through justification, he now wears the garments of Christ Righteousness. He
has moved from the rags of his sin to the riches of God’s amazing Grace.
He has experienced" Increased
wealth". "In every thing we are enriched
by Him" 1 Cor 1:5.
The saved poor man has entered into real
blessing. Prov. 10:22- the blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no
sorrow with it.
Illustration---Sometimes we hear of a poor man, one who has found it
a constant struggle to make ends meet financially, coming
into a vast fortune because of the death of a rich relative. They find
themselves entering into the benefit of someone else’s death.
2 Cor
8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich,
yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich
KJV.
Every Believer is far richer than
a millionaire, for he has unlimited
resources at his disposal because of his union with Christ through His death on
the Cross. The Brother of Low Degree has also
available to him, heavenly Wisdom.
Illustration --- In the year 1860, the philosopher--- Jeremy Bentham said, "If we can get universal and
compulsory education by the end of the century, all our social problems, moral
problems and our political problems will be over. How wrong he was.
Mankind has increased in knowledge at a tremendous rate since
then, but man needs something higher than knowledge, before he can conduct his
life in a way that is pleasing to his creator. He needs a special kind of
wisdom. This wisdom is not a matter of natural
application; it is one of supernatural revelation by the spirit of the living
God.
Prov. 28:26 He that trusteth
in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely,
he shall be delivered. Prov 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and
understanding.
The man of low degree can rejoice, because
God in His mercy has given to him the wisdom of spiritual insight. Paul said to
the Corinthians--
1 Cor
2:5-7 that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power
of God.
6 Howbeit, we speak wisdom
among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
7.But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery,
even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
(KJV)
James is telling his readers "that they
must keep their eyes firmly fixed on their real dignity as the Lord’s believing people. A person in poverty must look
beyond physical and material circumstances and abide in spiritual values.
God never put anyone in a place too small to grow in.
A Man with
Poverty
A Man with
Prosperity
James 1:10-11 but the rich, in
that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. 11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it
withered the grass, and the flower thereof falleth,
and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in
his ways. KJV
James now speaks of a man who is prosperous, one who is rich and one who has
plenty. The early church had in the fellowship those who were in poverty. They
had also those who were very prosperous and were among the wealthiest in
Men like Joseph of Arimathaea,
Nicodemus, and Barnabas, the man who sold all his property and gave it to the
Church.
The Bible does not condemn a person for
having riches, but it does point out the danger of prosperity. The question is
how a person got their riches! What they do with them! And what place they have
in the heart.
1. Riches can be
Dangerous---
1 Tim 6:10 for the love of
money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred
from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
2. Riches can be Deceitful—
In explaining the parable of the seed, the
Lord said;
Matt 13:22 He also that received
seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word;
and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word,
and he becometh unfruitful. (KJV)
3. Riches can be Desirable—
There are many, who are always seeking to
increase their wealth, position, possessions, and overall prosperity. Even
Christians fall into this snare, which the Devil has set.
Working all the hours that they can in a day to increase their bank
balance, ever seeking something new; the latest gadgets for the home, the
latest toy trinkets on the market, or the latest fad or fashion.
Matthew 6:24 "No one can serve two masters; for either he
will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and
despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Luke 18:25 "For it is easier for a camel to go through the
eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the
4. Riches can be Deceptive.
They are temporary and fleeting.
Prov 27:24 for riches are not for ever: and
doth the crown endure to every generation? KJV
What you thought would be there forever soon passes. James says of the
rich man, "as the flower of the grass he shall pass away".
James 1:11 For
the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth
the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the
grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall
the rich man fade away in his ways.
Those, who are rich according to the world’s
standards, may take pride in their possessions, but as the burning heat withers
the grass and as a flower soon perishes, so shall the rich man fade away.
Illustration--- A number of men were
standing at an open grave having watched the burial of a friend. One man turned
to another and said, "I wonder how much Old John left"? Another
responded, "Old John left it all for his shroud had no
pockets".
Humble Christians, who have
riches, know that they have been so blessed by the hand of God. Money is
not their focus, nor is it their hope for happiness in this life.
They understand that, as quickly as they have gained the riches of
this life, they can be gone like the flowers of the field. Their joy is
found in Christ, not their possessions.
They realise that they have been brought into a low position, and
that for all their wealth, they are no more than hell deserving sinners who are
depending on the mercy and the grace of God for their salvation. As is the poor
man
Illustration--- A London newspaper once offered a prize for the
definition of money. The winning entry was a follows. "Money
is an article which may be used as a universal passport to everywhere except
heaven, and as a universal pointer of everything except happiness.
Friends, for believers, poverty is temporary
and so is prosperity, in comparison to the eternal glory, which is our in Jesus
Christ our Saviour. Therefore neither poverty nor prosperity produces lasting
happiness in the Christian life.
The Lord Jesus reminds us in Luke 12:1
Take heed, and beware of
covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the
abundance of the things, which he possesseth. (KJV)
The Poor man, who, in the eyes of the world, is not worth very
much, rejoices in his relationship with the Lord, who has elevated him to a
high position.
The Prosperous man rejoices, that the Lord has
brought him low, and has revealed to him his only lasting security is to be
found in a saving personal relationship with Christ as his Saviour.
Illustration--- Alec Motyer—in his little book "Tests of faith" places,
properly these verses in the context of wisdom says,
The poor man-- is able to go on with God in spite of his adverse
circumstances and poverty, because "wisdom has opened to him the glories
of heaven".
The Rich man --is enabled to go on with God, in spite of the
snares and enticements of wealth, because wisdom from on high has opened his
eyes to the real state of earthly things".
The gospel has a leveling effect on both the Poor and Rich.
Jesus and His disciples were in
The Disciples said to Bartimaeus
"rise for the Lord is calling you" (Mark 10:49)
The Lord said to Zacchaeus the Prosperous tax
collector who had climbed the up the sycamore tree to see him:
Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I
must abide at thy house.
And he made haste, and came
down, and received him joyfully. Luke 19:5,6
The heavenly wisdom that is revealed through the Gospel opens the eyes of
both the Poor and the Prosperous to the glories of heaven and to the hollowness
of earth. The central verse in the Bible is Psalm
118:8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put
confidence in man. (KJV)
Whatever our circumstances the Lord will
enable us to go on with Him by reminding us of the hollowness of earth and of
the heavenly glories that await the faithful.
The Mighty Saul was brought low on the
Phil 3:8-9 yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the Excellency
of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of
all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
And be found in him, not
having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through
the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (KJV)
I counted all my money while
God counted crosses
I counted gains while he
counted losses
I counted my worth; by the
things gained in store,
But He sized me up; by the
scars that I bore.
I coveted honors
and sought for degrees
He wept as He counted the hours
on my knees.
I never knew-- till one day by
a grave
How vain are the things; that
we spend life to save.
I did not know till a friend
went above
That richest is he who is rich
in God's love.
1 Tim 6:17 Charge them that
are rich in this world, that they be not highminded,
nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth
us richly all things to enjoy; (KJV)
If we have Jesus as our Saviour we have
everything.
For in Him dwelleth the fullness of the Godhead bodily and we are
complete in Him.
Complete! Complete! Complete
in Him we are Complete in Him
A Man with
Poverty v 9
A Man with
Prosperity v 10,11
A Man with
Perseverance v 12
James 1:12 blessed is the man
that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he
shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love
him. (KJV)
Having dealt with this subject in verses 2-4
James now returns to this theme. For rich and poor alike face trials and come
under stress. Satan wants to use these things to cause believers to stumble,
but God allows them in order that His people might learn to stand, that they
might endure (Persevere) hold their ground standing fast in Him.
The Poor man can come under pressure
because of his poverty the rich man because of his wealth.
The poor man can be tempted to doubt God because of his poverty.
The Prosperous man can be tempted to desert God because of his wealth.
The Man, who Perseveres, will trust God and he shall be rewarded.
There will be growth in His Character, he
will bring glory to his God, and he will be granted a crown of life, which the
Lord has promised to all that love Him.
The Risen Lord said to the Church at
Rev 2:10 Fear none of those
things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil
shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have
tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown
of life. (KJV)
The trials for both the Poor and the
Prosperous are purposeful and profitable; if there is perseverance, every
believer will receive the "crown of Life" Surely this is enough to
encourage us to stand fast in the Lord and in the power of His might.
To him that overcomes God gives
the crown
Through faith we will conquer
though often cast down
He who is our Saviour our
strength will renew
Look ever to Jesus He will
carry you through
Whether we
find ourselves in the test of want or plenty we need to take Paul's advise and "learn"
To be
content knowing God will meet all our needs.