The Book of James – Part 2:
Poverty and Riches
Pastor Bruce A. Shields
This Document is a Sermon Outline, you may hear the full audio of the
actual sermon by following the link Online
Audio Files located above for this, and other Full Sermon Audios. For a complete list of Sermon Outlines, visit
TruthDigest.org, or Truth Digest on facebook; for our Official Church website,
visit PS127.org, or find us on facebook at House of Faith Church
SERMON INTRODUCTION
Last
week we spoke about James writing about the victory over trials and
temptations. When we stand against these trials and temptations, they develop
in us perseverance.
We
also spoke about how God wants to give you wisdom in this area of your life,
and that when you face trials and temptations, if you turn to the Lord, He will
grant you the wisdom you need to not only understand the situations in your
life, but also successfully navigate through them.
The
book of James is divided into sections, each with a name describing its
content. This week we will be talking
about humility, poverty and riches.
James,
who is the half brother of our Lord Jesus, expresses a deep spiritual
understanding which we need to remember was truly inspired and authored by the
Holy Spirit of God.
Listen
today as James instructs both the poor and rich on what grounds to build their
joy and comfort.
LAST WEEKS SERMON
Part 1 - Faith and Wisdom
Part 2 - Poverty and Riches
James
1:9-11
Believers in humble
circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10 But the
rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a
wild flower. 11 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.
I.
THE CORRECT
PERSPECTIVE FOR THE BELIEVER
a.
James is speaking
about “believers”
i.
Originally intended for the Christ believing Jews of
the Twelve Tribes, there is much instruction and wisdom in the Book of James.
ii.
James was not only the half brother of Jesus, but also
one of the leaders of the Jerusalem Council, and worked to bring up other Jews
to recognize Jesus as the Messiah.
iii.
The verse begins with the word “believers”, telling us
that he is speaking to ALL who follow Jesus Christ.
iv.
This is “key” in scripture, we must always be aware of
“who” the scriptures are addressing when trying to understand the meaning.
1.
The basics of good
exegesis
a.
Observations
b.
literary form
c.
unit of thought
d.
atmosphere
e.
purpose
f.
outlining
g.
word study
h.
background study
i.
textual analysis
j.
theological implications
v.
We try to understand the “who, what, where, when, how and why” of scriptures. Simply reading without forethought can leave
you confused about the intention of the scripture.
b.
Who are of “low
degree” {KJV} “Humble”
i.
Out of the “believers”, James first addresses those of
“low degree”.
1.
More specifically, James is addressing believers who
are the lowly, the societal insignificant, the weak, but more importantly, the
poor.
2.
We may consider “poor” in this country someone who only
has one TV in his or her house, or one car, or perhaps you rent instead of
owning your home.
a.
Poor in James’ time was more likely someone with no
home, no income at all, no food or clean water.
b.
Any of us here today would be considered rich Americans
in most third world countries, yet most Americans are not satisfied with what
they have, nor do they consider themselves rich.
c.
The curse of money is this...the more you have, the
more you want.
3.
However, James tells those who have nothing, “Rejoice!”
a.
Because they have the greatest position of all, they
are believers in Christ Jesus.
c.
Where is your joy
and comfort?
i.
Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not
destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where
your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
ii.
James tells the poor to rejoice, for they are exalted
in Christ Jesus!
iii.
The poor should find joy and comfort knowing that they
are His, and each day they serve Him, they store up for themselves treasures in
heaven!
iv.
Without the worldly riches, one MUST rely on God for
their needs, rather than what they have to get them through life.
II.
THE CORRECT
PERSPECTIVE FOR THE RICH
a.
Still speaking of
believers
i.
James addresses them.
b.
Who are “rich”
i.
“But the rich
should take pride in their humility—since they pass away like a wild flower.
ii.
First James points out to the poor to rejoice because
of their “high position”, now with the rich he reminds them of their mortality.
1.
James tells them to take pride in being
humble...removing the pride from their riches, and reminds them that they will
one day pass away, regardless of how much they think they have.
ILLUSTRATION
I
watched a documentary on living forever, first turning there thinking it was a
program about the after-life and beliefs in the everlasting spirit of man. Much to my surprise, it was a program about
living forever without dying.
Many
scientists believe they have discovered that the human body can actually live
much longer than it currently does, perhaps forever.
Really? I learned that years ago reading
Genesis. That is how we were originally
designed after all.
They
believe they can isolate the gene which causes aging and eliminate it from the
body.
What
they do not understand is, that gene was placed there by sin...now it is
destined for man to die once and face the judgment.
However,
what was sad about the program was the fact that there were millionaires, and
one was a billionaire, who spends millions and millions a year trying not to
age.
They
do not want to die.
One
said, in fact, “I do not have any heirs, and I want to enjoy my fortune.”
The
riches have corrupted their thinking.
They have become self-serving, self-centered and selfish old men who,
despite all of their wealth they have worked so hard to accumulate, will still
pass away, dying just as a flower in a field.
James
contrasts the thinking of worldly riches and power, with the frailty of a wild
flower passing away.
c.
Where is your joy
and comfort?
i.
If you are rich, are you humble?
1.
On the other hand, do you constantly have to tell
everyone about what you have, how much you have, and what it is worth?
2.
Funny thing about the rich, they seem to think others
are as interested in their wealth as they are.
ii.
James tells those who are rich, find your joy and
comfort in one place, humility, there is joy, comfort and peace in being
humble.
iii.
For those who did not catch the contrast, James
continues;
1.
“The sun rises with
scorching heat and withers the plant.”
a.
In the same way, the Lord will put all of our works to
fire, and all that is straw and stubble will be burned away, leaving only the
things we did for righteousness sake.
2.
“Its blossom falls
and its beauty is destroyed.”
a.
Nothing that is, will remain. In the end, everything will be destroyed, and
nothing but the Word will remain.
3.
“In the same way,
the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.”
a.
No matter how much you have, how much you store up for
yourselves in warehouses, how much you buy, build or construct...it is
appointed for each man to die once and face the judgment.
III.
ITS NOT ABOUT WHAT
YOU HAVE...BUT HOW YOU LOVE IT
a.
Both poor and rich
should have joy and comfort
i.
James shows both the poor and the rich where they are
to find comfort in this life.
1.
Poor find joy and comfort in knowing they are in a high
position with Christ.
a.
Luke 6:20 “Looking
at his disciples, Jesus said: “Blessed
are you who are poor, for yours
is the kingdom of God.”
2.
The Rich will find joy and comfort only in being
humble.
a.
Proverbs 28:20 “A
faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.”
b.
Those who are rich must never look to their riches for
joy or comfort, and riches must never be the focus in life.
b.
Economic status
should not prevent you from living a humble life
i.
Riches kept the young rich man from being able to
follow Christ, we must never allow anything to come between us and a
relationship with God.
c.
There are many
warnings in scripture about riches...none for being poor.
i.
Ecclesiastes 4:13 “Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish
king who no longer knows how to heed a warning.”
ii.
Matthew 19:23-24 “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you,
it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24
Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle
than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
1.
How many who are
rich will barely get in to heaven, only to find no treasure awaiting them?
CONCLUSION
Rich
or poor, we must keep ourselves and our lives in perspective with the Lord.
We
must not allow what we “don’t have”
to steal our Joy and Comfort from what we do have, and that is a high position
in Christ.
We
also, must not allow what we “do have”
to steal our true joy and comfort which can only be achieved through living
humbly.
Next
week we will look at what the Book of James says about Endurance.
Want to learn more about
Salvation and Getting Saved?
Want to hear the audio to this sermon?
