Often, I have pondered what life would be like if I had “just a little more money.” But in
my time as President of Source of Light, I’ve come to realize that it appears no more joy
or happiness comes as a result of being rich. Ironically, I believe as a Christian the rich
might find life more challenging.
Even though society might dictate how the “poor” or “rich” are perceived, James has
spent a good deal of time making a case for how easily our wealth and prosperity can
fade away.
Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made
low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun is no sooner
risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and
the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his
ways. James 1:9–11 KJV
From these verses, I’ve come to the conclusion that both the rich and the poor in this
context are Christians, exhorting both to reflect on their identity in Christ as the measure
of their ultimate significance.
The poor, made to feel insignificant and weak for lack of influence or money, ought to
instead boast proudly of the status they will inherit in heaven.
The rich, led foolishly by society to believe their riches mean something in the broader
scheme of God’s plan, not at all in line with the worlds, will only experience loss in the
end. When “the sun rises” their grass will burn away like all the rest and everything they
were misled to believe made them significant, will give way to the level “playing field” of
all our fates as Christians. How much time do the rich invest in those things that will
burn and wither, only to discover at the end of their life the futility and vanity of the life
they lived.
Make no mistake, both the rich and the poor can incorrectly evaluate themselves, they
can judge themselves by the earthly standards of insignificant and weak, or by the
standard of prosperity and pride. But here James admonishes both to evaluate
themselves by spiritual standards, humbly identifying with the one who was “despised
and rejected” by this world. And if we can embrace this position in our time on earth, we
will spend eternity, irrespective of our time spent on earth, exalted.
Dr. Ronald J. Barnes, Jr.
President / CEO
October 4, 2023
