Now the believer of humble means should take pride in his high position. But the rich person’s pride should be in his humiliation, because he will pass away like a wildflower in the meadow. For the sun rises with its heat and dries up the meadow; the petal of the flower falls off and its beauty is lost forever. So also the rich person in the midst of his pursuits will wither away. Happy is the one who endures testing, because when he has proven to be genuine, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him.
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires. Then when desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full grown, it gives birth to death. Do not be led astray, my dear brothers and sisters. All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change. By his sovereign plan he gave us birth through the message of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. (James 1:9-18)
As we previously established, James is writing as a pastor to a scattered flock of persecuted Jewish believers in Jesus Christ. Significantly, James is probably the earliest (or one of the earlier) New Testament texts ... so these believers lacked even rudimentary Christian teachings to carry with them into Gentile lands. What they did carry, however, was a strong background in the "Old" Testament and a fully Jewish worldview.
In this worldview, Deuteronomy 28-31 played a key role; blessings followed obedience to God, and curses followed disobedience. Prosperity, therefore, was expected to follow those in whom God was pleased. Suffering was considered a sign of God's judgment. Jesus' disciples expressed the Jewish worldview perfectly in their question to Jesus in John 9:1-2: Now as Jesus was passing by, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who committed the sin that caused him to be born blind, this man or his parents?”
James knew his flock was suffering, and he also knew what they were thinking. So he sent them a letter filled with some "upside down" thinking to help them better understand their trials. After telling them to rejoice for the growth the trials were facilitating, and reminding them of the wisdom God offers, he interjects what at first appears to our linear Western minds to be a new topic, but in James' eastern circular presentation serves to expand upon the original idea of trials. Specifically, James "evens the playing field" for both rich and poor believers. Rather than feeling they are on the wrong end of judgment, each has something to glory in: those of "humble" circumstances have a "high position"; while those well-off should glory in the transitory nature of their riches. Neither is condemned here for undergoing trials; instead, each is exhorted to view their earthly financial circumstances through a broader, eternal perspective. Both have the opportunity to see their trials turned into a crown of life.
James then explicitly addresses the human tendency to blame God for temptations that we give into. Again, this is closely related to the original subject, trials, because every trial affords either an opportunity for growth or the chance to yield to temptation. James reminds believers that God doesn't tempt man. Sin instead comes about when man is tempted by desires - the picture painted by "lured and enticed" signifies an entrapping and indeed, the original Greek references a fish drawn out of the safety of its retreat. After yielding, it conceives and gives birth to sin, whose progeny is death. James is brutally straightforward here. We may parse Paul and come down on different sides of the interpretive coin, but here James is not so nuanced. Enticement - lust - sin - death. We might not like it, but we get it - without any further cross-referencing or word studies necessary.
James then cuts to the heart of how we can avoid temptation during trial - or any other time. "Don't be led astray - God gives good gifts" is the heart of his message. Ultimately, sin is the result of desiring something more than God, of thinking that what temptation offers is better than what God offers. James lifts up the promise of God's good and perfect gifts. Against the lure of temptation, God has something better - always. Whatever the trial they were facing, they could know that what He offers is wonderful. And He doesn't change. James here is reminisicent of Hebrews 13:5: Your conduct must be free from the love of money and you must be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you and I will never abandon you.” In other words: Be content with what you have, because what you have - is HIM!
James concludes this portion of his exhortation with a reminder: God gave birth to us through the message of truth so we can be firstfruits of all His creation. Interestingly, the phrase "gave birth" is the same as in verse 15, where desire "gives birth" to sin. Because God gave birth to us as His firstfruits, we no longer have to give birth to sin. Instead, He works within us to produce the fruits that reflect our Father. Here is the reminder that indeed, faith is at the heart of James' message.
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