James Expounds on Faith Volume 6

 Receiving Wisdom from God Part 3

James 1:9-11 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. 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. KJV

We now find the Apostle James directing his words of wisdom to the brothers in Christ who are poor or rich in this 🗺 world of woe with these following words, "Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. 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." (James 1:9-11) (KJV). It is not within our realm of understanding to know why our Lord Jesus Christ gives or grants or gathers earthly material wealth to some of His sons and daughters, yet He allows some of them to go without many or much earthly things, however, we do know that whatever has been given to any individual or group of followers of our Lord Jesus Christ does mean that proper stewardship over such things is the only reason they were ever received in the first place. Of course our Father in Heaven blesses the 👐 hands of the man or woman of God who is diligent and honest in their obtaining 🌎 earthly wealth, however, ill gotten gain will never go unpushied by our Lord Jesus Christ, even if the punishment is visited upon 👪 family in future generations. The Apostle James is here declaring to the brother or sister in Christ who are poor to rejoice in the fact that though many are of low degree and few material things during the sojourn here and now, they should shake off double mindedness with meditating on the solid sure salvation that has been given by our Lord Jesus Christ and believe in our exaltation as a child of God and an heir of Jesus Christ with all that He is and all that He has, as it is written, "For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof." (1 Corinthians 10:26) (KJV). In one part of Hannah's prayer to the Lord God/Elohim as she was praying for the Lord to open up her womb and bless her with a child, she said, "The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: He bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: He bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, and He hath set the world upon them. He will keep the feet of His saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail." (1 Samuel 2:6-9) (KJV). The life span and the death time of those who belong to Jesus Christ our Lord is already written by Him, so is the accumulation, acquiring, or appropriation of riches during our brief and very fleeting ⌚ time on the 🌎 earth are also written by Him and advanced to any of us to use (not to build ourselves little 👑 kingdoms here), but to advance the 👑 Kingdom of God on the 🌎 earth in preparation for eternity with Him in Heaven, as it is written, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:19-21) (KJV).

Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of James 9-11, "The holy humble temper of a Christian, both in advancement and debasement, is described: and both poor and rich are directed on what grounds to build their joy and comfort, James 1:9-11. Here we may observe, 1. Those of low degree are to be looked upon as brethren: Let the brother of low degree, etc. Poverty does not destroy the relation among Christians. 2. Good Christians may be rich in the world, James 1:10. Grace and wealth are not wholly inconsistent. Abraham, the father of the faithful, was rich in silver and gold. 3. Both these are allowed to rejoice. No condition of life puts us out of a capacity of rejoicing in God. If we do not rejoice in Him always, it is our own fault. Those of low degree may rejoice, if they are exalted to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom of God (as Dr. Whitby explains this place); and the rich may rejoice in humbling providences, as they produce a lowly and humble disposition of mind, which is highly valuable in the sight of God. Where any are made poor for righteousness' sake, their very poverty is their exaltation. It is an honour to be dishonoured for the sake of Christ. To you it is given to suffer, Philippians 1:29. All who are brought low, and made lowly by grace, may rejoice in the prospect of their exaltation at the last in heaven. 4. Observe what reason rich people have, notwithstanding their riches, to be humble and low in their own eyes, because both they and their riches are passing away: As the flower of the grass he shall pass away. He, and his wealth with him, James 1:11. For the sun has no sooner risen with a burning heat than it withereth the grass. Note hence, Worldly wealth is a withering thing. Riches are too uncertain (says Mr. Baxter on this place), too inconsiderable things to make any great or just alteration in our minds. As a flower fades before the heat of the scorching sun, so shall the rich man fade away in his ways. His projects, counsels, and managements for this world, are called his ways; in these he shall fade away. For this reason let him that is rich rejoice, not so much in the providence of God, that makes him rich, as in the grace of God, that makes and keeps him humble; and in those trials and exercises that teach him to seek his felicity in and from God, and not from these perishing enjoyments."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…