James 1:9-11, We Have Reason to Rejoice

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.”

“The brother of low degree…is exalted.”

“Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, ‘God be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” (Luke 18:10-14)

We have a choice to make: either “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time” or “those that walk in pride he is able to abase.” In the above passage, the Pharisee thought he could lift himself up before God with his impressive giving and righteousness, but what do we have to offer God that might impress Him? The Pharisee thinks himself better than other men, fasts often (improperly so, as fasts are not to be noticed), gives tithes of everything he has, and really thinks himself to be something special. But the publican could not even lift his eyes to heaven. This publican was humbled in God’s presence knowing the he didn’t do anything to deserve God’s favor. He said, “Be merciful to me a sinner.” He was no more or less a sinner than the Pharisee, but he was wise and humble enough to recognize his own condition. The publican humbled himself and God exalted him, but the Pharisee exalted himself and he would God abase.

Whether rich or poor, we have reason to rejoice in the Lord.

“Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted”

The brother who is poor can rejoice in that God exalts him. He easily recognizes his dependence upon God, and he easily traces God’s working in his life. He knows that he won’t be able to impress God with anything he has, but he sees God time and again provide to meet his needs. He lives Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

“But the rich, in that he is made low.”

The rich also have reason to rejoice in that he is made low. The rich have to take great care to recognize that God provides for them also. It is imperative that the rich remember how wealth so easily fades. We see here in James that riches are fleeting. The passage describes the rich “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.” In the Old Testament, we read of Job who was both a wealthy man and a righteous man. He was humble before God, though he certainly had an amount that could lead him to trust in his riches. And having lost all of his earthly riches, Job proclaimed, “Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” He mourned for the loss of his sons and daughters, but he could bless the name of the Lord because he trusted God. If his rejoice had been in his wealth, he would have fallen apart. But because of his reliance on God, it could be said of Job, “In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.”

It may seem odd that these verses are placed in the middle of a passage teaching about faith and trials, but God intends for us to connect these. There is not a person on earth, whether he be of low degree or rich, that should be rejoicing in anything or anyone but God. It takes faith for the poor to understand that God exalts them, which gives the them reason to rejoice. It takes faith for the rich to trust God despite their riches and rejoice that God makes them low. The trying of the faith is for the rich and the poor; all must rely on God, and all can and should rejoice in Him.