The Grass Withers
James writes,
“The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position.
But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.
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.” James 1:9-11.
Here James points out that God’s ways are dynamically different from mans ways. The man in a humble position, someone who is probably poor materially, is considered to be in a high position while a rich man is considered to be in a low position.
The way I see it is that the person of humble means needs to trust in the Lord everyday for his provision. Being in such a position can draw a person closer to God. Thus increasing their faith and God wants people of true faith.
To seek out and serve God daily even if it is in just a small way is a high and noble thing to do.
On the other hand the rich person is described as having a low position. While there is nothing wrong with being wealthy, having wealth can lessen your dependance on God. A wealthy person can be tempted to rely on their wealth rather than God. Thus while he may believe in God he may not be as close as the man who must depend on God for his every need. An incident recorded in Matthews Gospel illustrates this,
“Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.”
“Which ones?” the man inquired. Jesus replied, “ ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’’”
“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew19:16-23.
It’s not that a rich man cannot get into heaven, anyone can get into heaven if they have true faith in the saving Grace of God. Having such faith may however at times, mean giving up all our material wealth to follow Christ. If we are wealthy we must be willing to do this should God call us to do so.
James speaking of the rich states,
“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.”
Wealth is fleeting it is possible to loose it all in an instant. Someone who loves money more than God. Who puts his trust in money could, if he suddenly lost it all, curse God, blame God for his loss and turn away from Him.
That is why the writer of Hebrews tells us,
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5.
This is why Jesus said,
The apostle Paul warns,
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:10.
This life we live is fragile we can loose it in an instant as Isaiah the prophet said,
The apostle Paul wrote,
Please think about it.
James writes,
“The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position.
But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.
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.” James 1:9-11.
Here James points out that God’s ways are dynamically different from mans ways. The man in a humble position, someone who is probably poor materially, is considered to be in a high position while a rich man is considered to be in a low position.
The way I see it is that the person of humble means needs to trust in the Lord everyday for his provision. Being in such a position can draw a person closer to God. Thus increasing their faith and God wants people of true faith.
To seek out and serve God daily even if it is in just a small way is a high and noble thing to do.
On the other hand the rich person is described as having a low position. While there is nothing wrong with being wealthy, having wealth can lessen your dependance on God. A wealthy person can be tempted to rely on their wealth rather than God. Thus while he may believe in God he may not be as close as the man who must depend on God for his every need. An incident recorded in Matthews Gospel illustrates this,
“Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.”
“Which ones?” the man inquired. Jesus replied, “ ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’’”
“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew19:16-23.
It’s not that a rich man cannot get into heaven, anyone can get into heaven if they have true faith in the saving Grace of God. Having such faith may however at times, mean giving up all our material wealth to follow Christ. If we are wealthy we must be willing to do this should God call us to do so.
James speaking of the rich states,
“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.”
Wealth is fleeting it is possible to loose it all in an instant. Someone who loves money more than God. Who puts his trust in money could, if he suddenly lost it all, curse God, blame God for his loss and turn away from Him.
That is why the writer of Hebrews tells us,
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5.
This is why Jesus said,
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where moth and rust do not destroy,
and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19-21
Yes you can have lots of money but it should not be your first love.The apostle Paul warns,
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:10.
This life we live is fragile we can loose it in an instant as Isaiah the prophet said,
“A voice says, “Cry out.”
And I said, “What shall I cry?”
“All men are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.
The grass withers and the flowers fall,
because the breath of the LORD blows on them.
Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God stands forever.”
Isaiah 40:6-8.
The rich man and the poor man will enter eternity materially broke. Where each will spend eternity will be determined by what they believe in this world.The apostle Paul wrote,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith
and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God
not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
The Writer of Hebrews stating,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God,
because anyone who comes to him
must believe that he exists
and that he rewards
those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6.
Thus the question becomes. Where is your Faith?Please think about it.
