The Challenges of Poverty and
Wealth – James 1:9–11
Introduction
James 1:9–11
teaches that both poverty and wealth test the soul. The humble
believer may rejoice in exaltation, and the wealthy believer must
rejoice in humiliation, remembering the frailty of riches and the
permanence of God’s kingdom.
Poverty’s Test and God’s
Exaltation
James addresses
the “lowly brother” who lives in modest or meager circumstances.
Reduced means can press the heart toward fear and hasty choices.
Scripture affirms the dignity and promise extended to the humble.
“Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation” (James 1:9). The
prophet Jeremiah directs the poor and the powerful toward the same
boast: “that he understands and knows Me” (Jeremiah 9:23–24). The
humble receive favor (Proverbs 3:34) and salvation (Psalm 18:27). In
Christ, the poorest saint is a living stone in a spiritual house and
a holy priesthood, offering sacrifices acceptable to God (1 Peter
2:4–5). The Spirit testifies that believers are children and
heirs—joint heirs with Christ—destined for glory (Romans 8:16–17).
These honors do not depend on accounts or assets; they flow from
union with the Lord.
Wealth’s Test and Godly
Humility
James instructs
the rich to glory “in his humiliation” (James 1:10). Resources and
rank cannot purchase standing before God. Scripture warns against
leaning on abundance: “Here is the man who did not make God his
strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches” (Psalm
52:6–7). Jesus declared the difficulty facing those who trust in
riches, illustrating the spiritual hazard with a camel and the eye
of a needle (Mark 10:23–25). The challenge for the prosperous
believer is steady reliance on God, grateful generosity, and a heart
guarded from pride. The wealthy Christian displays humility by
seeking first the kingdom, treating possessions as tools for
service, and remembering that every good gift is from above.
The Brevity of Life and
the Fragility of Riches
James pictures a
desert wind that withers the flower. Wealth, fame, and worldly
beauty share this fate: “the rich man also will fade away in his
pursuits” (James 1:11). Proverbs observes that riches do not last
forever (Proverbs 27:24) and often sprout wings (Proverbs 23:4–5).
The psalmist reminds us that none can carry treasure beyond the
grave (Psalm 49:16–17). Paul directs the church to fix its gaze on
the unseen and eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18). Wise believers steward
possessions for kingdom ends and lay up treasure in heaven where
loss is impossible.
The Gospel’s Answer to
Both Conditions
Poverty and
wealth present distinct temptations—despair on one side and
self-reliance on the other. The gospel forms a heart that rests in
Christ. The lowly rejoice as heirs; the prosperous rejoice as
stewards. The congregation honors each saint without distinction and
practices generous care for all. Trials—financial or
otherwise—produce endurance and maturity when met with faith (James
1:2–4). In every season, believers look to the Lord, listen to His
word, and measure life by eternal outcomes.
The
Challenges of Poverty and Wealth Sermon Outline:
-
Introduction (James 1:9–11)
-
I.
Poverty’s Test
-
Exultation for the humble (James 1:9).
-
True
boasting: knowing the Lord (Jeremiah 9:23–24).
-
Favor
and salvation for the humble (Proverbs 3:34; Psalm 18:27).
-
Honor in
Christ: living stones and holy priesthood (1 Peter 2:4–5).
-
Heirship
with Christ (Romans 8:16–17).
-
II.
Wealth’s Test
-
Humiliation that restores perspective (James 1:10).
-
Warning
against trusting riches (Psalm 52:6–7).
-
Difficulty for those who rely on wealth (Mark 10:23–25).
-
Stewardship, generosity, and dependence on God.
-
III.
The Frailty of Riches and the Shortness of Life
-
Flower-of-the-field imagery (James 1:10–11).
-
Riches
fade and fly (Proverbs 27:24; 23:4–5).
-
Nothing
carried beyond the grave (Psalm 49:16–17).
-
Fix eyes
on the eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18).
-
IV.
Walking Worthily in Every Financial Season
-
Trials
refine character (James 1:2–4).
-
The
lowly rejoice as heirs; the rich rejoice as stewards.
-
The
church honors all without distinction; treasure laid up in
heaven.
-
Conclusion
Call to Action
Examine your
heart before God. If resources are scarce, take courage in your
exaltation as a child and heir. If resources are abundant, embrace
the humility of a steward and invest in eternal purposes. Ask the
Lord today for a contented spirit, generous hands, and a gaze fixed
on the life to come.
Key Takeaways
-
Poverty and
wealth both test discipleship; God provides grace for each
(James 1:9–11).
-
The humble
receive favor, salvation, and priestly honor in Christ (Proverbs
3:34; Psalm 18:27; 1 Peter 2:4–5).
-
The
prosperous guard the heart from trust in riches and practice
stewardship (Psalm 52:6–7; Mark 10:23–25).
-
Riches are
temporary; the unseen inheritance endures (Proverbs 27:24;
23:4–5; Psalm 49:16–17; 2 Corinthians 4:18).
-
Trials
cultivate maturity when met with faith (James 1:2–4).
Scripture Reference List
-
James
1:9–11 – Exaltation of the lowly;
humiliation of the rich; the withering flower.
-
James
1:2–4 – Trials produce patience
and maturity.
-
Jeremiah 9:23–24 – True boasting
is knowing the Lord.
-
Proverbs 3:34 – Grace to the
humble.
-
Psalm
18:27 – Salvation for the humble
people.
-
1 Peter
2:4–5 – Living stones; holy
priesthood.
-
Romans
8:16–17 – Children and heirs with
Christ.
-
Psalm
52:6–7 – Warning against trusting
in riches.
-
Mark
10:23–25 – The spiritual
difficulty of wealth when trusted.
-
Proverbs 27:24 – Riches do not
last forever.
-
Psalm
49:16–17 – Wealth cannot be
carried beyond death.
-
Proverbs 23:4–5 – Riches take
wing.
-
2
Corinthians 4:18 – Set eyes on
the eternal.
Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at
Granby, MO
|
The
church of Christ
