The Folly of Riches

The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.  For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed.  In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.

James 1:9-11

            The world views the rich and the famous as having success, riding the world, being in a superior, elevated position.  The poor are seen as being the scum of the earth, unmotivated, lazy, in the worst possible, lowest position.

            These verses are a modern day irony.  How does the rich take pride in their low position?  How does the poor take pride in their high position?  There is another irony that fits well here:

            “The greatest among you will be your servant.  For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”  (Matthew 23:11-12)

            All the material possessions we have will one day pass away.   What would you do if all the prestige, possessions, and status you have would suddenly be taken away?

            One day, the poor will be elevated and the rich will be lowered.  The status and position will be reversed.  If fact, in the eyes of God this is already the case.  God looks favorably on the poor and looks with distaste on the wealthy.  What counts in this material, temporal life does not matter to God—degrees, commissions, jobs, church positions, etc…  What matters to God is how you use for God what you have!  What matters to God is how you play the hand you have been dealt?

            These verses in James reflect the words of the Psalmist (103:15-16):

            As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.

What do you value most in life?  What are possessions do you prize?  What status or positions do you hold?

How do you reconcile what you prize in life with what God prizes?

What steps do you need to take to bring your values into line with God’s values?

“Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says the Lord.

“I will protect them from those who malign them.”

Psalm 12:5