9 Those Christians who are poor must be glad when God lifts them up,
10 and the rich Christians must be glad when God brings them down. For the rich will pass away like the flower of a wild plant.
11 The sun rises with its blazing heat and burns the plant; its flower falls off, and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way the rich will be destroyed while they go about their business.
Vs. 9 - Those Christians who are poor must be glad when God lifts them up, -
“Christians who are poor” - Some translations, or versions, use the word "Brother", meaning a fellow believer. Trials a make all believers equally dependent on God. Humble circumstances, or ‘low position’ is James’ way of making the point that it doesn’t make any difference if you are rich or poor to God. We humans put great emphasis on how much money or possessions we accumulate. But we who live in humble means can look to our future with God. Sometimes it seems that is our only resource.
“lifts them up” - you are a child of God, an "exalted postion". (See NASB translation.) This is not referring to earthly riches or positions of authority and power, but now you are a child of God. John, in his first letter: “See what great love the Father has given us in naming us the children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not see who we are, because it did not see who he was. My loved ones, now we are children of God, and at present it is not clear what we are to be. We are certain that at his revelation we will be like him; for we will see him as he is.” (1 John 3:1-2)
We honor children of rich or important people. Notice how the children of the Presidents of the United States are granted positions and honors and jobs. Notice how the children of movie stars or TV personalities get preferred treatment. It has always been this way. But in this case, it does not matter what your earthly circumstances may be. If you are a child of God, a believer in our Lord Jesus Christ, you have been elevated by His grace to amazing heights. If you are not a child of God, there is no hope for you. Stop what you are doing and surrender your life to Jesus Christ.
A child of God! There is no better position. See: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. You once were not a people, but now you are God's people. You were shown no mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Pet 2:9-10)
But remember, you did not attain that ‘high position’ by your work or wealth, and so need to have a realistic understanding of how you got where you are and avoid self-love, too high a assessment of yourself; avoid pride.
Trials make all believers equally dependent on God. Wealth is an illusion. Some studies indicate that James is aiming his anger at non-Christians. (I don't think that makes a lot of sense, since the letter is written to believers). Perhaps the anger is to warn believers to not fall in to the trap that non-believers are in (erroneously thinking they have some control).
In fact, I think we make a mistake accusing James of being ‘angry’. Being firm in conviction, and warning us from trouble does not make a person angry. We may perceive his direct comments as anger because he is not ‘sugar-coating’ his statements. He is not explaining to children why they should not be naughty. He is speaking to adults.
James is not referring to troubles that are a result of our sinful actions (i.e., consequences), but those circumstances not opted for. At the cross there are no advantages either way.
Persecution as a result of living for Christ may fall into the ‘trial’ category. Martyrs definitely receive honor and ‘high position’ in God’s eyes.
***Vs. 10 - and the rich Christians must be glad when God brings them down. For the rich will pass away like the flower of a wild plant. - James leans heavily on the rich. (See Note 1) Trouble pays no attention to social or financial standing. In Jewish culture (and in ours) wealth was a sure sign of God's favor! What are the perils of riches? Trusting in wealth in lieu of God. Wealth does not protect you from cancer, nor does it keep you from lust or greed. Wealth does not prevent you from dying, peacefully or otherwise. You have the same chance of living forever as does a weed or flower growing in the wild.
“the rich … must be glad” - The rich person expects glory and is proud of what he has accomplished. If a rich person is to be proud, let it be because he has admitted his need for Jesus Christ, and accepted Him as Lord and Savior. Lack of humility can be a road block. It is too easy when you have all the clothes you need, food to eat, homes to live in, and cars to drive to forget or ignore your absolute need for salvation. Is admitting that you need Jesus humiliating? Perhaps. It is difficult for someone who has ‘pulled himself up by his own bootstraps’, who has worked hard to establish a business, support a family, etc., to release oneself to a higher power. Accepting Jesus involves just that - admitting that your plight is hopeless, that you need to be saved. It is liberating, knowing that Jesus has taken care of all; it is tough to reconcile that you can’t ‘do it all’. Paul is saying your pride can stand between you and eternal life. Don’t let that happen.
Let's go back to the prophet Jeremiah, who advises us to focus on the correct things. "Thus says the LORD, 'Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,' declares the LORD." (Jer 9:23-24)
Vs. 11 - “The sun rises with its blazing heat and burns the plant; its flower falls off, and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way the rich will be destroyed while they go about their business. - The wilted flower is an image brought forward from the OT. (Isa 40:6; Psa 102:11, 103:15; Job 14:2; ). Think of the prettiest rose blossom you may have in your yard. How long does it last? A few days at most. This is the perfect picture of ‘ephemeral’.
We also see similar comments in Psalms - “Have no fear when wealth comes to a man, and the glory of his house is increased; For at his death, he will take nothing away; his glory will not go down after him. Though he might have pride in his soul in his life-time, and men will give you praise if you do well for yourself, He will go to the generation of his fathers; he will not see the light again. Man, like the animals, does not go on for ever; he comes to an end like the beasts.” (Psa 49:16-20) In other words, don’t be envious of the rich and their wealth, because we all die and take nothing with us.
Note 1: James deals with rich people and riches in four sections of this letter; 1:10-11, 2:3-6, 4:13-17, and 5:1-6. ***
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