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.
James 1:9-10
Is it wrong to have wealth? Is it wrong to desire wealth?
Not much has changed since the writing of James to the early church. Much like today, there were those in the early church that associated poverty with piety.* Because of Israel’s history of wealthy kings who ignored the poor coupled with the second temple’s priestly aristocracy’s material access, many saw wealth as corrupting and those with it far from the heart of God.* At the time of Jame's’ letter, around ninety percent of the Roman empire lived at or below what we could consider the poverty line.*
Meanwhile, those existed in the early church who believed that prosperity was a sign of “right living.”* They believed that their financial success meant that God pleased with them and that earthly struggles were signs of God’s displeasure.*
Depending where one fell amongst these beliefs, they might find themselves falling into pride or envy. As George M. Stulac states,
Because of money we are beset with fears—troubling anxieties about how financial needs will be met. Because of money we are attacked with a sense of guilt and failure. We struggle to make ends meet, and we feel internal accusations about inability to manage finances and about mistakes we must have made in financial choices. Because of money we fall into crippling self-pity, chronic complaining and envy of others who can buy and do things which we lack. These can produce a terrible bitterness of spirit that makes a desert of our personal fellowship with God. Because of money we become trapped in attitudes of greed, practices of injustice and a lifestyle of materialism. No wonder Scripture says that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil!
James writes to the early church (and God speaks to us today) to tell us: no matter our status, we are equally seen by an eternal God who wants us to know that whatever our current state, it is temporary. An eternal future awaits us all. God will lift up the head of the downtrodden and humble the one who leans on their possessions. Both are blessed to be in the presence of God as equals: brothers and sisters in Christ.
Money may be a source on this earth of personal worth.* Money also may provide a sense of security.* Money lies. God wants to remind us that He established our worth through Jesus Christ; our security must be found in Him.
The truth awaits; the burden will be lifted.
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to repent for judging others based upon their financial status. Perhaps today God wants you to repent for judging yourself. Maybe today God wants you to remember that everything is temporary. Perhaps today God wants you to ask Him how to leverage all that is in your hands for His eternal purposes.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.
Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!
*Blomberg, C. L., & Kamell, M. J. (2008). James (Vol. 16, pp. 54-56). Zondervan.
McCartney, D. G. (2009). James (pp. 98-99). Baker Academic.
Stulac, G. M. (1993). James (Jas 1:9-12). IVP Academic.
Guthrie, G. H. (2006). James. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews–Revelation (Revised Edition) (Vol. 13, p. 217–218). Zondervan.
Nystrom, D. P. (1997). James (pp. 54-56). Zondervan Publishing House.