The first few times of reading these verses from James had
me puzzled. I had no idea what they meant and the context didn’t help. The
verses before it tell me to ask for wisdom without being double minded about
the answer. The verses after it are about remaining steadfast under trial, the
topic of the first part of the chapter.
Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. (James 1:9–11)
I’m still not certain, yet it seems to me that these
verses are God’s reminder that everyone is terminal. Rich or poor in this life
is not important because this life is nothing compared to the life to come. Our
preparation for that life is about an ever-deepening trust in God. It is not
about status before men nor the size of anyone’s bank account but about our
relationship with God.
My granddaughter works in a social services group home for
single mothers. She mentioned that most people in that age bracket (early
twenties) are thinking of ways to make money. They are poor and think more cash
will solve their problems.
I told her that God has blessed us in that department, yet
as I think about these verses and my life experiences, I know that money may
seem to solve a few problems yet it is the Lord God who takes care of us. In a
worldly sense, that is a humiliation. No matter how much money a person has, if
God is not blessing them, they are needy indeed.
It works the same way for those who are poor. I remember
the days when my income did not cover the cost of groceries. God blessed me
with enough outside help to survive. This too is humbling yet also an
exaltation. Why me? I had no reason to be financially blessed, just as now
there seems no need to be financially blessed yet God amazingly blesses us.
Looking at this again, God says to me that riches nor poverty
have significance. In the long run, the big picture, every person needs the
blessing of God. This life is short and soon fades away. The next life is what
matters for it is eternal. For that, I’m exalted with the gracious gift of
Jesus Christ and eternal life. I’m also humbled because I’ve done nothing to
earn or deserve it.
Poverty might be deserved. Money might be earned. Neither really
matter. What matters is realizing the power of God. He governs the size of my
bank account which I cannot take with me into the next life, so it is a trivial
thing. He governs salvation by grace through faith which settles where I will
spend the next life and that is the most significant thing.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Lord Jesus, I’m grateful to You for all the blessings of
this life yet exaltation is in being saved and made ready for the next life —
by the trials and struggles here. And humiliation is in knowing that I deserve
and cannot earn any of it; not the blessing of You using all things for my good
nor the blessing of the greatest gift of all — knowing You and knowing I will
spend eternity with You. Awareness of ‘this
life is not all there is’ is also a gift that keeps me from being caught up
in the pursuit of things that do not matter because they do not last forever.
Today’s thankful list . . .
Rich time of prayer with friends.
A good workout — much stronger than a year ago.
Fell asleep watching rugby.
After years of cooking, can now invent tasty recipes.
God’s blessing on every part of today.
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