OUR FATHER WHO GIVES THE CROWN OF LIFE TO THOSE WHO PERSERVERE

James chapter 1 verse 11 says this;

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.

In this verse, the apostle James, writing to advise believers who were in humble circumstances and believers who were in priviledged circumstances, tells them that those who were rich would fade away even while they continued conducting everyday business.

He tells the poor believers that they should take pride in their high position but he tells the rich that they should take pride in their humiliation because they will pass away like wild flowers.

James tells rich believers that their riches make  them vulnerable in the same way that wild flowers are vulnerable to the sun's heat. 

While the sun causes the plants' blossoms to fall and their distinctive beauty to be destroyed, riches cause people's unique beauty to be destroyed and they fade away.

Having riches can often help people by-pass regular trials in life and  bypassing day-to-day trials causes people to miss the blessedness that comes from perservering through the tests as it says in James chapter 1 verse 12;

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

It is for this reason that James says, in James chapter 1 verses 2 - 4;

 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 

Amen.

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