182 James: Rich Man/Poor Man

Our culture tends to believe that a person is lucky if they’re wealthy and unlucky if they’re not.

But in these verses, James is saying that the true status of God’s people cannot be determined simply by their finances. 

The poor are richer than they think if they trust Christ and the rich are poorer than they think if they trust anything else

James first addresses “the brother in humble circumstances” (1:9) – the poor man. There are two kinds of poverty: generational poverty and situational poverty. Both of them are exceedingly difficult to overcome. 

But, according to experts, one of the keys for a person to get out of poverty is that the individual who is poor needs to rethink his/her identity. 

All too often we measure what we are and what we have by earthly standards. James makes it clear that’s tragically short-sighted. Rather, it’s who you are in Christ and what you possess because of Him that puts poverty and even suffering into perspective.  

Next James addresses “the rich” (1:10-11). He likens them to a fragile wildflower. A scorching heat blows through and the beautiful blossom withers and dies. 

James’ point is to warn those who would consider themselves rich merely because they have beautiful resources just how fragile and temporary those things are. To glory in your riches, to trust in your resources is ultimately a losing proposition.   

James is not making a value statement regarding the rich and poor. He is not saying, “God loves the poor and hates the rich.” Nor is he saying that one cannot be wealthy and godly. Some of the greatest heroes of the faith were people of great means. 

But they saw themselves as rivers, not reservoirs. They understood that “to whom much is given, much is required.” 

However, for most, having much – whether it’s beauty, talent, or wealth – can blind a person to what’s truly important and what’s really needed. They can all too easily deny their need of a Savior and end up “fading away” just like flowers.

Bottom line? This world is not the ultimate. Our life here is short. So, if you are a “poor man,” one without many resources, remember: if you know Christ, you are richer than you think. We 

If you’re a “rich man,” one who has resources, yours perhaps is the greater danger. What you have can deceive you into putting your trust in the wrong place. Remember: if you don’t have Christ, you are poorer than you could ever know.

Who I Am in Christ

I am a child of God (John 1:12)

I am Christ’s friend (John 15:15)   

I am a temple – a dwelling place – of God.  His Spirit lives in me (I Cor. 3:16; 6:19)

I am a new creation (II Cor. 5:17)

I am God’s workmanship (Eph. 2:10).

I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved (Col. 3:12; I Thess. 1:4)

I am a child of light and not a child of darkness (I Thess. 5:5).

I am born of God and the Evil One cannot touch me (I John 5:18).

I am an alien and stranger to this world in which I temporarily live (I Pet. 2:11).

I am a citizen of heaven and eagerly await Jesus’ return to take me there (Phil 3:20)

I am a joint heir of Christ and will share in His inheritance (Rom. 8:17)

I am not the great “I am,” but by the grace of God, I am what I am (Exod. 3:14; I Cor. 15:10).

Text: James 1:9-11 

Originally recorded on February 7, 2010, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN