In That He Is Made Low

The Holy Spirit inspired purpose for this epistle is to provide pastoral counsel for a spiritually mature walk in the believer’s life. James 1:9-11 (the second paragraph of the epistle) gives counsel concerning the contrasting subjects of humble maturity and worldly materialism. The contextual situation is established through the closing line of the paragraph at the end of verse 11 -- “So also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.” We all face temptation to the sin of worldly materialism. For those who lack material wealth, the temptation is to set their focus upon obtaining material wealth, to covet the material wealth of others, and to be discontent, and even discouraged, with their lack of material wealth. For those who possess material wealth, the temptation is to set their focus upon protecting their material wealth, and even upon obtaining more, to look down upon those who possess less material wealth, and to put their trust in their material wealth. Even so, verse 9 provides an instruction of encouragement to the lowly, an instruction intended to encourage lowly believers in their lack of material wealth. Then verse 10 provides an instruction of exhortation to the rich, an instruction intended to exhort rich believers not to focus upon their material wealth. Finally, verse 11 provides an illustration of admonition to the rich, an illustration intended to warn all believers away from the ways of materialism. Overall, this paragraph presents two primary truths concerning the contrast between humble maturity and worldly materialism.

1. We must glory in the ways of humble maturity.
2. We must guard against the ways of worldly materialism.