The trial of poverty versus the trial of prosperity is one of the greatest trials that will really test the faith of the believer.

There are no perhaps no trial any greater than the trial of poverty or trial of prosperity that would prove someone whether or not a double-minded, since we are living in a very materialistic minded world.

All over the world, there will be rich and the poor. In history, there are people who could be classified as poor and people who could be classified as rich. You will see the poor and rich, you will think the poor and rich and you will not stop the real existence of poor and rich, regardless of the culture.

There are lots of “haves” and “have nots” wherever place you go. There will be the gated high walled communities and there will be people just sleeping at the streets and markets without shelters to live. That is the way it will always be a reality in this world.

If you are a believer, this is the test that will show the real faith you have. The rich and poor is a very important in the Bible. One example regarding this: After Mary learned that she was going to give birth to Jesus, Mary said, “He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree” (Luke 1:52). Another example of this is Jesus often talks about the economic status in relation to God. On His sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave the beatitudes, he teaches by saying “Blessed are the poor” (Matthew 5:3). Another example is when Jesus gave illustration to people, He used the wealth and poverty issue more often. Jesus also used the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:13-21). Jesus also gave the story about the rich man who died and Lazarus a poor man died to give lesson on eternity (Luke 16:19-31).

There is danger for those poor believers who were so intensely focused and even so double minded concerning things that they don’t have, that is why their relationship with God were so neglected. It is also very possible that greediness and covetousness can be found in the heart of a poor person. On the other hand, there is also the danger for those rich believers who were so focused concerning things that they have, that is why they don’t realize they will soon leave this earth and be in eternity and they will never bring any thing from this world. This truth proves that poverty and wealth become tests of faith. The poor will be tested in poverty and the rich will be test in prosperity.

Throughout the book of James, James brought up repeatedly as he was aware of the fact that the economic status can negatively influence a person concerning his relationship with God (James 2:1-7, 15-16; James 5:1-6).

In fact, regarding that economic status can negatively influence a person with his relationship to God is a key theme of this epistle of James. The Jewish believers whom James is addressing had been chased out of their homes by the religious Pharisees who claim they were right with God, who had money, who had power, who had luxury, while the poor Christians do not have a place to live and were struggling for survival. By this situation, James exhorts these Jewish believers telling them don’t let their money fool them and do not let the success of these false religious Pharisees get to them.

As believers in Christ our main focus is on the Lord and the crown. As a matter of fact, people who are rich in faith is the poor (James 2:5) and not usually the rich who are rich in faith. It is sad to hear if some of the poor who is also poor in his faith in Christ, because they focus on the materials and money in this world and do not focus on the giver and the blesser of all good things.

PROPOSITION: THE BELIEVER WILL BE BLESSED BY GOD AND WILL WIN THE CROWN IF HE KEEP HIS FOCUS ON ETERNITY NO MATTER WHAT ECONOMIC SITUATION HE LIVES.

It depends on one’s attitude toward God in the situation he is living, and being poor or being rich does not mean a person is automatically right or not right with God. Being rich or being poor is not the primary basis for us to be right with God. It is a matter of attitude a person has about God in their situation.

For everyone of us money is a big issue that is why money can affect all of us.

Reasons how money affects every one of us:

1. Money frequently regarded as that which affirms personal worth.

2. Money frequently regarded as that which provides security.

The world says that if you have a lot of money you are secured.

3. Money frequently bestows people an advantage over other people.

Money gets you in any luxurious place you want to go, live on and eat food expensively and can even get judicial decisions always in favor of your stand.

May we realize, that no matter what a person has or does not have in life, the real happiness can be yours by thinking that we are spiritually rich and that has nothing to do with money at all. Money comes from God and His Word.

Now we think, these two men described by James, the poor man and the rich man in these verses are both believers. Possibly, there is no other greater test regarding our spiritual condition in our Christian lives than the attitudes towards our economic condition or situation. The truth is that there is threat for the poor person to lose sight of the wealth that is concerning a relationship with God, while on the other hand, there is threat for the rich person to lose sight of the fact the riches will soon disappear and gone from his life.

In James epistle, we can find that there are two main trials that will test believers.

TWO TRIALS THAT TEST BELIEVERS:

I – TRIAL THAT TESTED POOR BELIEVER – v. 9

James 1:9 "Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:"

Santiago 1:9 ““Ngunit ang kapatid na hamak ay hayaang magmalaki sa kanyang pagkakataas,” FILIPINO VERSION

James is exhorting the brethren, in verse 9 “Let the brother”, James told them that the best remedy against double-mindedness (verses 6 to 8), is that Christian simplicity of spirit, that is why the brother of low that is in outward circumstances, may “rejoice (that is answering to what James said in verse 2, ”My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;”) in that he is exalted”.

When James said to the brother of low degree in verse 9 “rejoice in that he is exalted” that is namely by being accounted a son and heir of God, his very suffering’s being a pledge of his coming crown (James 1:12 “…when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him”).

Every believer should not and never forget who saved us. The Bible says, we are saved by God and by His Word and by His will (James 1:18 “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures”). The word of truth that James stated how God begat us is the Gospel of salvation, that is the word of truth (Ephesians 1:13 “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,”).God saved both the rich and the poor.

In the book of James, James described a poor person by using different words. The word “low” in KJV, “humble” in NASB, “lowly” in ESV, NKJV is one that refers to someone who is low and humiliated at times for a reason that a person is so poor. The believer in Christ who are poor find themselves in “low degree” that is low in outward circumstances (KJV), translated “humble circumstances” (NASB). The word “low” or “humble” is used in the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament) to refer to the type of person who has little importance in the world evaluation. Another word that James uses in this book is about a person who is so poor that is at the level of a beggar (James 2:2, 5-6, 15-16).

There are some believers when they are going to church and have not much then when they look at others who seem have everything, they felt self-pity, insignificant, with little value.

Notice the word in verse 9 “he is exalted”. James is telling them your being in low degree is testing you. When you are in that condition of low degree or poor in outer circumstances because they were severely persecuted during that times, that is your test to “glory in his exaltation”. That is why being poor can have a real advantage over being wealthy in this earth only because if the wealthy person has only wealth on this earth, they have their high position on earth, but poor people who are rich in faith have a high position in heaven. In other words, poor believers who are rich in faith in Jesus must focus on your future which is rich. Therefore, in God’s sight, in God’s assessment, money has nothing to do with a high position. It is your tested enduring faith in God and His Word.

Those poor Jewish believers whom James is writing to, will get to see that God supplies the needs and they have witnessed how God’s hand working in ways far above and beyond others. God is gracious to this poor people of God. God has a great purpose in poverty for it helps a believer to see that they need God and they need to depend on God. In the book of Proverbs, teaches us that often the poor people have much more integrity than those who are rich ((Proverbs 19:1; Proverbs 28:6, 11).

The poor faithful believers on this earth are headed to a rich, abundant inheritance, they are headed to their exalted position that is in heaven. James said “Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted”, Amen!

---Continuation ---Part 2

II – TRIAL THAT TESTED RICH BELIEVER – v. 10-11

Possibly most of the people are saying and thinking that verses 10-11 are nothing to do with them. But actually, when we compare ourselves to the believers in first century, we are considered very rich. If you notice, people of today have their own at least one home besides of their provincial residence disregarding how small it was. Some of us have a car with more than one. Some have computers, TV, refrigerators, and have choice of clothes in our closets. However, most of the people who live in this world live in shacks, cottage or farmhouse or mountainous areas without electricity and would give almost anything to have what we have. So, these verses 10-11 are applicable to us.

Now God has lot of things to say to warn the rich believer than God does to the poor believer.

God’s warning to the rich believer:

A. Design that rich man made low to rejoice – v.10a

James 1:10a “But the rich, in that he is made low:”

Santiago 1:10a “at ang mayaman sa kanyang pagkaaba,” FILIPINO VERSION

Not only James in verse 9 told the poor believer who are in “low degree” to “rejoice in that he is exalted” but James also in verse 10, told the rich to rejoice “in that he is made low” that means by being stripped of his goods for the sake of Christ or in that rich person is made lowly in spirit by sanctified trials.

The design or purpose is to reduce all things which includes poor and rich to an equal footing. (James 2:1 “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.”; James 5:13 “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.”).

Now the rich man is to “rejoice” in KJV, “glory” in NASB, NKJV, “boast” in ESV that he is made low or in his humiliation. It means that his rejoicing, his glorying, or his boasting is not in his wealth, but in the fact that he has humbled himself before God and has spiritual life through Christ the Savior. Thus, wealth is not found in physical or material riches, but real wealth can be found in spiritual realities, and spiritual richness can be found in a relationship with God.

B. Disappearance that rich man needs to remember – v.10b

James 1:10b “because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.”

Santiago 1:10b “sapagkat siya'y lilipas na gaya ng bulaklak sa parang.” FILIPINO VERSION

Notice, in verse 9 that the “low,” rather than the “rich” in verse 10, is termed “the brother”. So far as one is merely "rich" in worldly goods, "he shall pass away;" However, so far as his predominant character is that of a "brother," he "abideth forever" (1 John 2:17 “And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”). This settle or answers those objections that says the rich here do not refers to “the brother” at all.

This rich man needs to remember he will soon pass away.

When the trial comes for the rich man, he possibly loses his sight of the fact that his life will soon be over.

Rich man needs to remember that life is controlled by God and his protective concrete dugout will not stop his death. Only God can determine the number of months and days he will live and whether you die on the garbage or in mountainous forest or in luxurious secured mansion, you can not avoid death, death comes in your way. Rich people must remember that everyone in the earth rich and poor are on the same death clock.

Thus, it is foolish and nonsense to trust in wealth because the bible tells us that humans will pass away like the flower of the grass. The rich man will soon die and will leave all of his achievement, accomplishment, anything he hath done here. Only one life too soon will pass, only what is done for Christ will last.

C. Decay that rich man needs to realize – v. 11a

James 1:11a “For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth,”

Santiago 1:11a “Sapagkat ang araw ay sumisikat na may nakakapasong init at tinutuyo ang damo at nilalagas ang bulaklak nito.” FILIPINO VERSION

The rich man needs to realize that he will wither.

Notice the words in verse 11 “burning heat” [in Greek “kausooni” (G2742)] refers to the hot wind from the (east or) south, which scorches vegetation (Luke 12:55 “And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.”). This phrase “burning heat” of the sun is not at its rising, but the sun at noon, whereas the scorching [in Hebrew “Qaadiym” (H6921)] wind is often at sunrise (Jonah 4:8 “And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.”). Matthew 20:12 uses the Greek for heat, it says “the scorching heat of the day.” Isaiah 40:7 “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.” this answer to “the hot wind,” Therefore, the burning heat caused by the blowing of the hot wind caused by the heat of the sun that scorches. So man becomes weaker, with wrinkles and thus withered like the grass and like the flower that falls.

The Prophet Isaiah used this very same image illustration to refer to all people living in this earth (Isaiah 40:6-8 “The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: ⁷The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. ⁸The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”). All humans are like grass for they exist for a short time and in a moment of time they are gone, they withered, they decayed.

D. Destruction of himself that rich man needs to be reminded – v.11b

James 1:11b “and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth:”

Santiago 1:11b “at nawawala ang kagandahan nito.” FILIPINO VERSION

The rich man needs to know that his beautiful outer appearance will be destroyed.

Notice the phrase “grace of the fashion” in Greek [prosoopou (G4383)] it refers to external appearance.

The Rich man needs to know his beautiful appearance will be destroyed. The Rich man or the wealthy need to be reminded that all of the beautiful things they had will be left here and they could not bring with them in eternity once they leave this earth. Paul said in I Timothy 6:7 “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” Man will soon perish, we will all leave this earth, you will not be remembered by your wealth, but by abundant service you done with Christ.

E. Deadline of his pursuits that rich man needs to be ready – v.11c

James 1:11c “so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.”

Santiago 1:11c “Gayundin ang taong mayaman ay malalanta sa gitna ng kanyang abalang pamumuhay.” FILIPINO VERSION

The rich man needs to be aware that his pursuits will fade away.

Notice the words “in his ways” [in Greek poreiais (G4197)] that is the simple word, and that in the plural usually ascribed to the rich man, instead of [euporia (G2142)] that is wealth. Therefore, the words “in his ways” means to mark his as care-attended “ways” of securing wealth. You can compare “ways” paths [hodois (G3598)], James 1:8 “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” It refers to paths or road of life.

In verse 11, a flower looks beautiful for a while and then it passes away or withered. Riches will fade away as fast as a wild flower. Every believer needs to be aware that whatever we are pursuing, we will come to the end of our journey in life. Man’s pursuits in life, all plans in life, all your efforts, all your busy times in life, all your success in life, all your investments in life, will come to an end.

We must learn that the threat for the rich man is not to see God in all whatsoever he has and the threat is not use everything he has for the glory of God but that the threat is that all his pursuits will come to an end. Some believers fall in love with this world, unaware of the temporal nature of this earthly life. We must remember that we won’t last long and we won’t be here long. Our life is short and we will all be gone.

James is asking these Jewish believers who are scattered abroad because of intense persecution to evaluate their spiritual wealth and not physical wealth. Some denominational religious groups are promoting their prosperity gospel doctrines by using material standards as a means of determining one’s spiritual status, this is absolutely foolish, this is contrary to the biblical teaching on determining Christian’s spiritual condition. This is James message to this Jewish believers against pharisaical judgment like the charismatic and Pentecostal religious groups that the closer you are with the Lord the more prosperity comes to you.

The world was about acquiring, people are acquiring wealth, power and prestige. But you must know that you can acquire all you want and still feel empty. Only Jesus can fill the empty space in your heart. Jesus is the answer, Jesus can satisfy our soul.

Now let us now have the conclusion in verse 12.

James 1:12 “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

Santiago 1:12 “Mapalad ang taong nagtitiis ng pagsubok, sapagkat kapag siya ay subok na, siya'y tatanggap ng putong ng buhay, na ipinangako ng Panginoon sa mga nagmamahal sa kanya.” FILIPINO VERSION

The word “Blessed” we can compare it at the beatitudes in Jesus sermon on the mount (Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”; Matthew 5:10-11 “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ¹¹Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.”). The point is that blessed is the man who endured trials, persecuted for righteousness’s sake and for the sake of Christ. James wants to say to these Jewish believers who are in the midst of trials that they were blessed as they patiently endured trials for being faithful to the Lord and His Word.

The phrase in verse 12 “endureth temptation” is not about the falling into temptation, but it is about the enduring of temptation (example is during the tribulation period: Matthew 24:13 “But he that shall endure unto the end…”). Enduring is the cause for joy (James 1:2 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;”; Job 5:17 “Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:”).

Notice the words in verse 12 when James said “when he is tried” [in Greek dokimos (G1384) in English, tested, approved; then the Greek genomenos (G1096) in English “for when he is” or “for once he has been”]. Therefore, when he has become, approved, having passed through the “trying” [dokimion (G1383)] (James 1:3 “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”), become victorious through “faith.”

The words “the crown” that James used in verse 12 is [stefanon (G4735), not diadeema (G1238): that means the garland of victory]. We can see in Hebrews 12:1 “we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses…let us run with patience the race that is set before us”, that pictures winning the Christian race and becoming victorious in running the race was written to the Hebrews, so this answers to those theologian’s objection that a Gentile custom about receiving garland as victory crown being alluded to by James addressing the Jews in the book of James. In this case of our passage in James epistle, a kingly crown accompanies the victor’s crown, ”the crown of life” [Like a message to the church of Smyrna, Revelation 2:10 “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”; we see the King of kings the Lord Jesus Christ in Revelation 14:14 “…sitting on the cloud was one like a son of man, having a golden crown on His head...”; we also see David speaks about the crown of a king in Psalm 21:3 “a crown of fine gold on his head.” James here used the Greek “stefanon” which means “crown” of victory, from the Septuagint translator.

The unfading victor’s “crown of life” in verse 12, beautifully contrasts with the “flower of the grass” that pass away in verse 10, and the rich man in verse 11 that “fade away” [in Greek marantheesetai (G3133)].

The crown that James is talking about in verse 12 is “of life”, this is literally, the life, the only true, highest, and eternal life. That is not referring to the life on this earth. That is the crown of life in heaven.

Then James said in verse 12 that the crown of life for the faithful believer is promised by the “the Lord”, who is the faithful one who promised in Hebrew 10:23 “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)."

James said in verse 12 that the crown of life that God promised will be given “to them that love him”. Who are these faithful believers who will receive a crown who loves Jesus? Paul makes it clear when he writes to Timothy in II Timothy 4:8 “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” Now, the love here is the kind of love that produces persevering endurance amidst sufferings, and by this we attest our love to God. Amen!

Part of our whole study and of our conclusion is that when God allowed trials in our lives to test our faith, it is because God is molding and shaping us for our good and that is according to His wonderful plan. So, in order for the perfect will and perfect ways of God to happen, we need to pray faithfully asking God to give us wisdom when we are surrounded by the multitudes of trials.

The poor needs wisdom to cope with his poor condition in life and the rich needs wisdom to cope with his riches in life. All of us, need wisdom to cope with life.

Lack of money is the trial for the poor person and lot of money is the trial for the rich person.

Several Truth that we may know our condition in life:

1. The Goal to focus on God: Jesus Christ will still your focus in spite of the threatening in financial security

2. The Goodness of God: Continue doing great things for God in spite that you have the great financial security

3. The Goad to follow God: Jesus Christ will be faithfully obeyed in spite that your physical health fails

4. The Guts to serve God: Jesus Christ will be worth to be served in spite when your love ones died

5. The Great love for God: Jesus Christ is worthy to be loved in spite when your trusted relatives, friend, neighbor, co-worker wronged you.

6. The Glory of God: Jesus Christ is worthy to be honored in spite of losing everything in your life.

If you view the importance of the crown of life that God promised to those who are faithfully, patiently endured the trials in life then you are ready to do every great thing for the sake of God that is mentioned above. And if you value that crown of life that James is talking about, you are rich regardless of the amount of money you have.

REGARDLESS OF OUR ECONOMIC STATUS, WE MUST ALWAYS FOCUS ON ETERNITY

Amen!