The book of James reads a bit like a sermon. As you go through chapter one, you will find topics that will spring up throughout the book. What are some topics you can find that are repeated? One example is the rich or the poor. These groups are mentioned in chapters one, two, four, and five.

The first references to them are in James 1:9-11. As you read these verses, try to understand what James is saying ultimately equalizes us, regardless of our economic success:

“Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.”

Since the lowly brother is contrasted with the rich, we can see that James was writing about those who are literally impoverished. The poor brother can glory, or boast, in his exaltation. What was that? James would explain. He said that God has “chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him” (Jas 2:5). There is a difference in elevation. Regardless of the lowliness of one’s material well-being, any person who lives by faith in Jesus Christ is lifted up.

Further, no matter how wealthy someone is, death comes to us all. The faithful, rich brother is instructed to boast in this fact. It will bring him down to the right level, humbling him in the sight of the Lord. James promised another change in elevation. Anyone who humbles himself in God’s sight will be exalted (Jas 4:10). On the other hand, all who live pursuing wealth, misusing it, and mistreating others will have a just judgment waiting for them (Jas 5:1-6). While the poor also die, whoever endures the challenges of this life, loyally loving the Lord, will be blessed (Jas 1:12; 5:7-11).

Peter quoted Isaiah saying, “All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And the flower falls away, But the word of the Lord endures forever” (1 Pet 1:24-25).

We are all humans made in the likeness of God, and we should not be respecters of persons (Jas 3:9; 2:9). We all grow closer to death, and we can have no eternal life without Jesus as our Lord. Pursue it and help others in such a pursuit.

– Van Sprague (Church of Christ at Houston Park, Selma, Alabama)