James 1:9 -11

The haves and the have-nots have gone to war. In AD 66, the poor of Judea rise in revolt. Rome conquers Jerusalem and destroys the temple in AD 70. By AD 73, Rome has crushed the rebellion. There is instability in Rome. In AD 69, four new emperors came to power in a single year. Each came to power following the violent deaths of their predecessors. After Rome put down the rebellion in Judea, resistance fighters spread unrest among the Jews of Northern Africa. This provoked Rome to further genocidal actions against local Jewish populations. James is writing to Christians living in this world.

James does not want Rome to mistake Christians as rebellious Jews. He knows there should be obvious differences between Christians and non-Christians. He shares with them some wisdom to help them highlight the differences. Believers in humble circumstances should take a godly pride in their positions as Christians. They are children of God. They do not take pride in an over inflated self-value. They recognize their relationship with their father as the source of their worth. They do not feel poor, because their salvation is a treasure beyond measure. Salvation is a treasure that money cannot buy. God gave Christians the task of sharing the treasure of salvation.

Christians both rich and poor understand that the material things of this world are temporary. The sun’s scorching heat withers the wildflower; in the same way, disaster can wipe away our material wealth. The things of this world are only temporary.

Salvation will change what we consider valuable. Christians do not scorn material wealth. Wealth can be a blessing, and God intends for us to share our blessings. A Christian does recognize there are many things of greater value than earthly riches. A right relationship with God has the ultimate value. A wise Christian is never envious of the rich. A wise Christian never looks down upon the poor. A wise Christian looks beyond what a person has, and sees who a person is. The world should never have to say to a Christian, “See me!”