Michael Jackson had a hit with the song, “Man in the Mirror.” It is a fine song calling for you and I to examine ourselves before we try to change others. The song reflects Jesus command to remove the log in our eye before we try to remove the speck in our brother’s eye or in other words take a realistic look at yourself before you start to look at others.
James calls for us to do the same but he is looking particularly at our status. How do you see yourself, as rich or poor?

The Rich
Two men were talking about a robber that was mentioned in the papers. “Well he’s a bit like Robin Hood” said the first man. “How” asked the second. “Well he only robs the rich” replied the 1st man. “That’s because the poor don’t have anything to steal” retorted his mate.
Being rich is not a crime nor is it morally wrong to have possessions. In fact, in several places it is implied that wealth is a sign of God’s blessing upon a person. There are many stories of families which were dirt poor, who barely had enough food to eat, and then the father became a Christian. Suddenly there’s food because he isn’t in the boozer drinking it all away. The family have decent clothes to wear, Soon the kids are going to better schools, the family is moving to a bigger house because they can afford it. This really happens, it has happened and will continue to happen.
It is estimated that when a pagan becomes a Christian, he loses virtually all his pagan mates, within about 2 years. This isn’t because he has become a snob, although unfortunately that can happen, but because his interests have changed.
When Solomon asked for wisdom, God promised to give him wealth as well. We know from Scripture that during Solomon’s time silver because as common as stones in the street. So wealth is not evil in of itself, however, in the context of what James is talking about we find that wealth is a trial.
It is in this context that James says that the rich man should take pride in his low position. The simple fact is that we who are wealthy are tempted in many ways because of our wealth. If you don’t think that you are wealthy then I suggest that you visit some of the people who sleep in the streets of Auckland and have absolutely nothing.
One of the trials we face is the temptation to trust in our riches, like the rich man who had a bumper crop. He said to himself “I will build bigger barns to store my crops and then I will say to my soul ‘Soul you have plenty, so take it easy’” the Lord said, “You fool, tonight your life will be required from you, then who will get your goods?”
Another temptation is to put on airs, to look down on others who have less than us. We feel superior, and show off with our latest phone or car or any trendy thing. When I worked at Masport we shipped heaps of containers to London, England. The containers were full of lawn mowers. The lawn mowers were being sold to people in London, not to so they could mow their lawns, because most of them didn’t have a lawn to mow, but as a status symbol. Too much money, not enough brains.
James is saying that no matter what your financial status is, as aChristian you know that you are no better than any other. Your wealth cannot save you and in fact wealth often makes it hard for a man to be saved. When the government wanted to build a new prison, their ideal spot was near the home of the richest man in the South Island. To prevent them from building their he sold land near Milton at a huge discount so that the prison would not be build near him. After the deal was completed he went on holiday to the Islands where he choked on a chip and died.
James tells us that the rich man has a low position because of the many dangers that come with wealth. When you have wealth and possessions you end up spending a lot of time protecting them, which means that you have less time to serve the Lord.
Are you serving the Lord with your wealth or are you serving your wealth?

The Poor
Verses 9 & 10 present to us a riddle. It is not how we usually think. Usually we think of the wealthy as having a high position. They are the ones whom the newspapers and TV report on where they are holidaying, or who they are going out with this week. Our focus and envy is on those who are rich and famous.
However, in the kingdom of God things are not that way at all. The humble are exalted and the proud are humbled. Likewise the rich are considered to occupy a low position while the poor occupy a high position. Strange but true.
Why is this so? It is because when you have absolutely nothing, you rely upon God so much more. The more you have the greater the temptation to look away from God for your existence.
Both the poor man and the rich man are to take pride in their new position, a position not built upon their wealth or status but upon the grace of the new life they have in Christ.

How do you see yourself? Rich, Poor, or one who trusts in the saving grace of Jesus Christ?