Studies from the Book of James

No 4 Poverty Prosperity Perseverance Ch 1: 9-12

Preached By-- Pastor Jack Anderson

Bethel Church Isle of Man

Introduction James has been speaking of tests and trials, which come upon the believer in many sizes, shapes and colours. 

He now moves into an area that is so common to life, its the test of plenty and want.   There's no getting around this test. 

We live in a culture, which promotes materialism, and it has a very strong appeal.  We live in a world, where happiness is equated with prosperity. 

The world says, "count it all joy when you win the lottery, and if you do not win, just keep playing!" James says, "count it all joy when you face various trials."  What do we really value in our lives, money, fame, fortune, -- poverty, and trials?

Illustration—William Law wrote in his book " A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life"

How ignorant –are they of the nature of religion, the nature of man and the nature of God, who think that a life of devotion to God is a dull, uncomforting state, when it is plain and certain that there is neither comfort nor joy to be found in anything else.

It is important for the Christian to understand that a life of devotion to God makes for a life of joy. Apostle Paul writes ---

Philippians 4:11-12 ---Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

It is interesting to notice that in the opening part of his epistle, James repeatedly sounds out a note of joy. V.2 He calls for a joyful attitude in the midst of Trials

He tells us to evaluate the benefits of our many Trials. Outlook determines Outcome and Attitudes determine Action. Trials are profitable.

Illustration--It was George Sweeting who wrote" A Christian is like a tea bag, he is not worth much until he has been through some hot water.

Yet if we value the material more than the spiritual, and comfort more that the forming of a good Christian character, then trials will always upset us.

In this passage before us James describes three men:

The Poor man, The Prosperous and the man who Perseveres

This passages shows that the trials God allows brings all to the one level.

A Man with Poverty

James 1:9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: KJV

9 Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, NKJ

Low degree--- means humble circumstance. The Greek meaning is "one who does not rise far above the ground" The word for Exalted means "Height". If we paraphrase what James is saying we arrive at an absurdity.

He is saying, " Let the brother, who does not rise far above the ground, rejoice that he has height; he has a high position. In purely material terms this makes no sense, but we must keep in mind that James is speaking in spiritual terms.

Many of the Christians in the days of James were slaves of the lowest economic levels.  James knew that too often the test of poverty could cause a person to become bitter at life and with those around them. When we are looking at hard times of poverty, we should trust God and glory in the truth that He will never leave us. 

Low Degree does not mean that we are to cast out poverty and to name it and claim it.

There are some, who are poor and do not have an abundance of material things.

Jesus said--Mat 26:11 for ye have the poor always with you.

The poor believer needs to remember, that their God is "bigger and better" than any earthly possession they might desire.

As Christians we must always rejoice that we belong to a heavenly realm. We should never look at riches and poverty in the same light as the unregenerate man.

We are of great worth to God, and we should rejoice in the spiritual things that we can never loose, and we should not give way to bitterness.

The poorest Saints can rejoice, because, of their high Position in Christ. Rejoice that their names are written down in heaven, as those who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb of God.

They can rejoice, in their adoption into God’s family as His son and daughters. They are now Royal family; heirs of the kingdom and joint heirs with Christ, and they Minister in Royal Priesthood. They can rejoice in the hope of glory to come.

Rom 5:2 by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (KJV)

Phil 3:20 for our conversation "Citizenship" is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

It is God’s Grace, which has elevated the poor man to new heights of Blessing.

By Sovereign Grace, the brother of low degree, is now walking in a new way" the path of righteousness. He is now wearing a new wardrobe.

The filthy garments of his sin are gone, and through justification, he now wears the garments of Christ Righteousness. He has moved from the rags of his sin to the riches of God’s amazing Grace.

He has experienced" Increased wealth". "In every thing we are enriched by Him" 1 Cor 1:5.

The saved poor man has entered into real blessing. Prov. 10:22- the blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

Illustration---Sometimes we hear of a poor man, one who has found it a constant struggle to make ends meet financially, coming into a vast fortune because of the death of a rich relative. They find themselves entering into the benefit of someone else’s death.

2 Cor 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich KJV.

Every Believer is far richer than a millionaire, for he has unlimited resources at his disposal because of his union with Christ through His death on the Cross. The Brother of Low Degree has also available to him, heavenly Wisdom.

Illustration --- In the year 1860, the philosopher--- Jeremy Bentham said, "If we can get universal and compulsory education by the end of the century, all our social problems, moral problems and our political problems will be over. How wrong he was.

Mankind has increased in knowledge at a tremendous rate since then, but man needs something higher than knowledge, before he can conduct his life in a way that is pleasing to his creator. He needs a special kind of wisdom. This wisdom is not a matter of natural application; it is one of supernatural revelation by the spirit of the living God.

Prov. 28:26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. Prov 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

The man of low degree can rejoice, because God in His mercy has given to him the wisdom of spiritual insight. Paul said to the Corinthians--

1 Cor 2:5-7 that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

6 Howbeit, we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

7.But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: (KJV)

James is telling his readers "that they must keep their eyes firmly fixed on their real dignity as the Lord’s believing people. A person in poverty must look beyond physical and material circumstances and abide in spiritual values.

God never put anyone in a place too small to grow in.

A Man with Poverty

A Man with Prosperity

James 1:10-11 but the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. 11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withered the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. KJV

James now speaks of a man who is prosperous, one who is rich and one who has plenty. The early church had in the fellowship those who were in poverty. They had also those who were very prosperous and were among the wealthiest in Jerusalem.

Men like Joseph of Arimathaea, Nicodemus, and Barnabas, the man who sold all his property and gave it to the Church.

The Bible does not condemn a person for having riches, but it does point out the danger of prosperity. The question is how a person got their riches! What they do with them! And what place they have in the heart.

1. Riches can be Dangerous---

1 Tim 6:10 for the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

2. Riches can be Deceitful—

In explaining the parable of the seed, the Lord said;

Matt 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. (KJV)

3. Riches can be Desirable—

There are many, who are always seeking to increase their wealth, position, possessions, and overall prosperity. Even Christians fall into this snare, which the Devil has set.

Working all the hours that they can in a day to increase their bank balance, ever seeking something new; the latest gadgets for the home, the latest toy trinkets on the market, or the latest fad or fashion.

Matthew 6:24  "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Luke 18:25  "For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

4. Riches can be Deceptive.

They are temporary and fleeting.

Prov 27:24 for riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation? KJV

What you thought would be there forever soon passes. James says of the rich man, "as the flower of the grass he shall pass away".

James 1:11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

Those, who are rich according to the world’s standards, may take pride in their possessions, but as the burning heat withers the grass and as a flower soon perishes, so shall the rich man fade away.

Illustration--- A number of men were standing at an open grave having watched the burial of a friend. One man turned to another and said, "I wonder how much Old John left"? Another responded, "Old John left it all for his shroud had no pockets".

Humble Christians, who have riches, know that they have been so blessed by the hand of God. Money is not their focus, nor is it their hope for happiness in this life. 

They understand that, as quickly as they have gained the riches of this life, they can be gone like the flowers of the field.  Their joy is found in Christ, not their possessions.

They realise that they have been brought into a low position, and that for all their wealth, they are no more than hell deserving sinners who are depending on the mercy and the grace of God for their salvation. As is the poor man

Illustration--- A London newspaper once offered a prize for the definition of money. The winning entry was a follows. "Money is an article which may be used as a universal passport to everywhere except heaven, and as a universal pointer of everything except happiness.

Friends, for believers, poverty is temporary and so is prosperity, in comparison to the eternal glory, which is our in Jesus Christ our Saviour. Therefore neither poverty nor prosperity produces lasting happiness in the Christian life.

The Lord Jesus reminds us in Luke 12:1

Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things, which he possesseth. (KJV)

The Poor man, who, in the eyes of the world, is not worth very much, rejoices in his relationship with the Lord, who has elevated him to a high position.

The Prosperous man rejoices, that the Lord has brought him low, and has revealed to him his only lasting security is to be found in a saving personal relationship with Christ as his Saviour.

Illustration--- Alec Motyer—in his little book "Tests of faith" places, properly these verses in the context of wisdom says,

The poor man-- is able to go on with God in spite of his adverse circumstances and poverty, because "wisdom has opened to him the glories of heaven".

The Rich man --is enabled to go on with God, in spite of the snares and enticements of wealth, because wisdom from on high has opened his eyes to the real state of earthly things".

The gospel has a leveling effect on both the Poor and Rich.

Jesus and His disciples were in Jericho where they met two men on the same day. One was Bartimaeus, who was in Poverty; the other was Zacchaeus the Prosperous tax collector

The Disciples said to Bartimaeus "rise for the Lord is calling you" (Mark 10:49)

The Lord said to Zacchaeus the Prosperous tax collector who had climbed the up the sycamore tree to see him:

Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.

And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. Luke 19:5,6

The heavenly wisdom that is revealed through the Gospel opens the eyes of both the Poor and the Prosperous to the glories of heaven and to the hollowness of earth. The central verse in the Bible is Psalm 118:8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. (KJV)

Whatever our circumstances the Lord will enable us to go on with Him by reminding us of the hollowness of earth and of the heavenly glories that await the faithful.

The Mighty Saul was brought low on the Damascus road, but he rejoiced in loosing earthy prestige and possessions, for he knew that he had eternal riches in Christ his Saviour.

Phil 3:8-9 yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the Excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (KJV)

I counted all my money while God counted crosses

I counted gains while he counted losses

I counted my worth; by the things gained in store,

But He sized me up; by the scars that I bore.

I coveted honors and sought for degrees

He wept as He counted the hours on my knees.

I never knew-- till one day by a grave

How vain are the things; that we spend life to save.

I did not know till a friend went above

That richest is he who is rich in God's love.

1 Tim 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; (KJV)

If we have Jesus as our Saviour we have everything.

For in Him dwelleth the fullness of the Godhead bodily and we are complete in Him.

Complete! Complete! Complete in Him we are Complete in Him

A Man with Poverty v 9

A Man with Prosperity v 10,11

A Man with Perseverance v 12

James 1:12 blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (KJV)

Having dealt with this subject in verses 2-4 James now returns to this theme. For rich and poor alike face trials and come under stress. Satan wants to use these things to cause believers to stumble, but God allows them in order that His people might learn to stand, that they might endure (Persevere) hold their ground standing fast in Him.

The Poor man can come under pressure because of his poverty the rich man because of his wealth.

The poor man can be tempted to doubt God because of his poverty.

The Prosperous man can be tempted to desert God because of his wealth.

The Man, who Perseveres, will trust God and he shall be rewarded.

There will be growth in His Character, he will bring glory to his God, and he will be granted a crown of life, which the Lord has promised to all that love Him.

The Risen Lord said to the Church at Ephesus

Rev 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. (KJV)

The trials for both the Poor and the Prosperous are purposeful and profitable; if there is perseverance, every believer will receive the "crown of Life" Surely this is enough to encourage us to stand fast in the Lord and in the power of His might.

To him that overcomes God gives the crown

Through faith we will conquer though often cast down

He who is our Saviour our strength will renew

Look ever to Jesus He will carry you through

 

Whether we find ourselves in the test of want or plenty we need to take Paul's advise and "learn"

To be content knowing God will meet all our needs.


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