“9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 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 ESV.
This passage reminds me of a parable Jesus tells in Matthew 20. It’s often titled Labourers in the Vineyard. An owner of a vineyard hires labourers at numerous different points throughout the day. He promises a certain wage to the first group he hires, and for the following groups, he offers “what is right”. At the end of the day, he ends up providing the same full day’s worth of wages to all the workers. Disgruntled, the first workers question him on this, to which he responds:
“The last will be first, and the first last.”
Matthew 20:16 ESV.
Many of us will have heard this line. I’d guess that your parents used it at some point! But the basic idea is about how Jesus’ Gospel often takes us in directions that don’t make sense to us. Is it fair that God might give the new worker the same reward as the original worker? Perhaps not, but it’s certainly generous.
In the text from James today, we see a similar concept. James was the leader in the Jerusalem church – he was Jesus’ half-brother and filled with wisdom. This book we’re currently working through is filled with snippets of wisdom. He’s passing it on in a similar manner to the book of Proverbs.
As part of the Gospel message, we all become equal in God’s eyes. In our eyes, it is the lowly who God exalts. The people who are homeless lower-socio-economic. God calls them to boast about His goodness to them. The goodness clearly isn’t material; it has to be spiritual.
In the cultural West, we tend to have all we could ever need. We have so many possessions and materials! But consequently, we often are too busy to see or appreciate the work of God in our lives. If we continue to pursue earthly comfort, possessions and materials, James’ point is clear:
“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 1:11 ESV.
Consider what it is that you focus on. Is your focus on comfort? Perhaps happiness? Maybe you’re seeking a promotion at work or a greater portfolio of wealth. Perhaps it’s better health. Whatever it may be, all of us have these desires. And they can be good things. But heed James’ warning: don’t let them distract you and take you away from the message of Jesus. Don’t let these things rob you of your first love (Revelation 2:4-5).
“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Matthew 6:33 ESV.
God bless.
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