James 1:9

In keeping with what has been previously said about trials and wisdom, James passes to the subject of poverty and wealth. Both circumstances can bring their own temptations, and wisdom is needed to live godly in both situations. 'The last chapter (section of verses) talked about the double-minded man who was unstable in everything. Such. man has the wrong view of life. He thinks that if he is poor, he is forsaken of God and if he is wealthy, he is blessed of God.' (Draper p. 25) 'The trials that believers encounter often cause. reassessment of life's real values. They frequently affect economic conditions and social standing. Rich believers can become poor, and the poor can become poorer. The occasion is offered for some careful evaluation of what is really important.' (Kent p. 42)

James 1:9 'But let the brother of humble circumstances glory in his high position;'

'brother of humble circumstances' -'of position, power, and esteem, of low position, poor, lowly, undistinguished of no account' (Arndt p. 804) That is, someone who is "undistinguished" in the eyes of the world, someone who is poor and seems from. worldly point of view to have no apparent value in the community.

'glory in his high position' -'rejoice in his exalted station as. Christian' (Wms).

Points To Note:

1. God doesn't bestow material blessings as an inherent reward for faithfulness. There existed many poor Christians in the first century (1 Corinthians 1:26). 2. The poor Christian, instead of resenting his social status, blaming God, wallowing in self-pity and thus giving into various temptations, needs to realize how highly God has exalted him. Every Christian has been raised up with Christ and placed in. heavenly place (Ephesians 2:6), and has been given access to every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3). 3. The poor man also needs to glory in the fact that he possesses wealth which cannot be touched by external circumstances (Matthew 6:19). Barclay notes, 'Christianity brings to every man what every man needs. As Mayor put it "As the despised poor earns self-respect, so the proud rich learns self-abasement." (p. 55)

'glory' -Which means to take pride in and boast. The Christian should never suffer from. lack of purpose or lack of self esteem. We need to take pride in the status which God has given to us. The poor man should not be intimidated or ashamed of his humble position, rather, in reality he is extremely wealthy. Let us spend more time boasting in our blessings from God (Romans 5:11; Romans 15:17; 1 Corinthians 1:31; 1 Peter 3:3; Galatians 6:14; Romans 5:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:4).