James 1:11

'For the sun rises with. scorching wind, and withers the grass; and its flower falls off, and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.'

'scorching' -'burning heat' (Thayer p. 342) In the land of Palestine, there were times when. hot wind coming off the deserts from the east would hit the land like 'a blast of hot air when an oven is opened' (Barclay p. 56). As quickly as the sun or. hot wind can destroy vegetation, just as quickly. rich man can die or lose everything (Luke 12:20 'This very night…')

'rich man in the midst of his pursuits' -that is, in his busy pursuits, his undertakings. It is amazing that we spend so much time pursuing things that don't last. In the midst of all his great plans, activities and endeavors, the rich man can either die or lose everything. So much for the idea that as long as. am working hard, as long as. am busy and trying to stay ahead. am safe (James 4:13 ff). Great passages concerning the short-comings of wealth are found in Ecclesiastes 2:8; Ecclesiastes 2:18; Ecclesiastes 2:8; Ecclesiastes 2:10; Ecclesiastes 2:2.