Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they 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 will fade away even while they go about their business.
James 1:9-11
In this brief text, James jumps to a subject that will keep cropping up in this letter: Rich and Poor. James takes an approach to this subject that is very much in line with that of Jesus, and is quite different from the one most have today, for James sees material wealth as a snare.
Believe it or not, I had this post all written, spell checked, read over, edited, tagged and scheduled. I wasn’t happy with it. It wasn’t bad, and it went through verse by verse just like you’re “supposed” to do, but I cut all of that out and now add something quite different. Rather than an informal expository post, how about an example from history instead.
Have you ever seen a TV show called “The Edwardian Country House“? In my history geek view, it is the best “reality” show of all time. A bunch of volunteers are placed in an Edwardian era country house in northern England, and they have to live and work as people would have in the Edwardian Era (1901-1910) for three months. There is a family who are designated as the Lord and Lady of the Manor House, and they must live as such high-ranking people would have lived in those times, being waited on hand and foot. The rest are the servants, from the butler to the scullery maid, and they do all the work. Boy oh boy do these people have their challenges adjusting from the 21st century to Edwardian times!
In those days, everyone went to church. In one episode they show how this worked out. The Family rode to church in their motor car, the “upper servants” rode in a horse-drawn carriage behind, and everybody else walked the two miles each way. Now of course, everyone involved was a “good Christian” but they had very different stations in life. The rich landowners all sat in the front of the church in places of honor, while their servants sat in the very back or in the balcony in silence as second-class citizens.
I thought this was an important scene for any Christian to see, for it shows how the attitudes of this world have played out in the Body of Christ. Of course history shows us that this sort of thing has gone on since the very early days of the church, and we see much written against it in Scripture, such as in these verses; interesting isn’t it? Have you seen things along these lines?
As for me, I’ve only sen this kind of thing expressed in subtle ways, but I’ve seen it, and it is nothing less than disgraceful! In Christ, we are equal. There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, black or white, rich or poor, for in God’s eyes we are His children… and we are all expected to love one another and to put the interests of others ahead of our own.
I think this is an important point for all of us to reflect upon and to ask for God’s guidance in, that we might truly understand what it means to be a follower of Christ.
Life Project Blog 
Jesus said something on the following order: how hard will it be for those who are rich to enter into heaven.
Over five years ago, I visited a church with my husband. He told me how the church was divided by wealth. It saw it for myself. The poor sat on the left side of the church. The rich sat on the right side of the church. I was shocked that this was be allowed in this church! I’ve been to a lot of churches, and seen a lot of things going on that ought to have happening in them, but this took the cake! The rich showed off their diamonds while the poor had nothing to show off but their faith in Jesus Christ. This is more valuable than anything this earth could ever create.
Amen!!
Amen Don. I think this message is so important. There is so much emphasis and importance placed on our standing in life, our monetary and social status. When in reality it means nothing. But people continue to delude themselves.
I would love to see that become less and less prevalent but I dont know if I will in my lifetime.
Great and much needed post!
Katie
Maybe all any of us can do is to make sure that we aren’t part of the “game.” Thanks so much Katie!
Isn’t it sad how for two thousand years we have to keep fighting the same battles with the enemy, like the Rich are treated better than the poor.
It sure is, ah but wait! Since we do seem to fight the same battles over and over, you’d think we would know the enemy’s playbook and be ready for this stuff!
Yes. That reminds of the teaching of a guy called Dean Sherman. He taught that spiritual warfare is like wrestling, you need to know the enemies move and how to counter them.
So true
Reblogged this on kdramaostersheet and commented:
Amen to this.
I saw that show as well. It reminds me that as a Christian I need to be happy regardless of little or a lot.
Amen!
2 Co 8:9-15 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.