James, Session 2: Riches: A Biblical Mindset

Read the passage: James 1:9-11 (ESV, Bible Gateway)

Do people tend to view the rich or the poor as more ‘blessed’? The famous or the unknown? The beautiful or the ‘plain’? Why?
- To what extent do you think this value system influences the modern western church?

Read James 1:9-11

In v9-10, James compares two types of persons and two positions. What are they and, given the comparisons made, what does each term mean?
- Do you consider yourself rich or poor?
  - Why might we have a distorted view of our wealth?
  - Why can riches have a corrupting influence on our characters?
  - In what ways does our culture (in particular the media and advertising) encourage us to define ourselves by our wealth?
James has been talking of trials (v1-8) and will pick the subject up again in v12. This suggests his comments on the rich and the poor are connected to how we view and handle suffering.
- How might the rich view their wealth during suffering? How might it affect the way they respond (or not) to others’ suffering? How might the poor’s lack of wealth affect the way they respond to suffering?
In v9 James talks about boasting. What sorts of things do people normally boast in?
- Why is boasting generally seen as socially unacceptable? Do you see any evidence of a changing attitude to boasting, of it becoming more acceptable?
- How does the gospel undermine boasting? (See Romans 3:27-28).
- Given what James says in v9-10, what does he mean by ‘boast’ and how is this connected to the gospel?
- ‘The gospel humbles the rich and lifts up the poor.’ Discuss.
In v10 what reason does James give for the rich boasting in humiliation?
- How can we keep our mortality before our eyes?
In v11 James compares the rich to the beauty of flowers. What does that comparison teach us?
- Why do we need to remember that success or fame are fleeting?
- What does it mean for the rich to ‘fade away’ in the midst of their pursuits? For example, how might someone ‘fade away’ while still living? How might they ‘fade away’ during and after death?
Read Luke 16:10-15 and 19-31
- How does what James teaches mirror what Jesus said?
- How does the rich man of Jesus’ parable display the kind of sins James may be alluding to?
Read Proverbs 30:7-9:
- How might the temptations faced by the rich and the poor be different?
- In what way might both the rich and the poor put their trust in money?
Jesus describes riches as deceitful (Mark 4:19). What does he mean by that?
Look at Hebrews 13:5: How can you keep your life free from the love of money? What’s the connection with contentment?

Recap & Reflect

How should we as Christians correctly view riches?

Reflect upon your own mindset towards riches. Examine yourself: do you put too much trust in them? If yes, repent, receive the Lord’s forgiveness, and ask him to give you his vision of riches and a heart of contentment.

Leader’s notes

The notes are here to help you lead a group and answer tough questions. The idea isn’t to read the “right” answer out after each question, but rather to give you support or a helpful nudge in guiding your discussion in the right direction. Feel free to use them as best suits your group.

In v9-10, James compares two types of persons and two positions. What are they and, given the comparisons made, what does each term mean?
The two types or person: the lowly and the rich; two positions: exaltation and humiliation. The lowly refers to those whose financial situation is humble – they’ve got no financial wealth to speak of. Exaltation refers to a high position, humiliation to a low one. The world’s way of viewing what these positions mean will be very different from a gospel-shaped world-view.
- Do you consider yourself rich or poor?
  - Why might we have a distorted view of our wealth?
    We tend to compare ourselves ‘upwards’. We look at those who have more than us, and think that in comparison we’re ‘poor’. If we compared ourselves to those below us we would (rightly) see ourselves as rich.
  - Why can riches have a corrupting influence on our characters?
    We can look down on those who have less than us; we treat them badly; we value others by what they have; we have greater capacity to indulge ourselves and seek pleasure in this life not the next.
James has been talking of trials (v1-8) and will pick the subject up again in v12. This suggests his comments on the rich and the poor are connected to how we view and handle suffering.
The rich will be tempted to put their trust in their wealth – it helps them get out of trouble, pay for better health care, enjoy life etc. In contrast, the poor may have to rely more on God, prayer, the kindness of friends. However, the poor may also resent their lack of financial power and the help it could give them. This might drive bitterness. In terms of helping others – the rich may hold on to their wealth, rather than share it. They may see others’ suffering as deserved, and keep their money for their own ‘rainy day’; or they may be generous to help. Likewise, the poor may hold on to what little they have, or be sacrificially generous. The issue is not so much the wealth but the heart.
In v9 James talks about boasting. What sorts of things do people normally boast in?
Possessions; success – of ourselves or others, whose success might ‘rub off on us’ – like parents boasting of children; important people we know etc
- How does the gospel undermine boasting? (See Romans 3:27-28).
  It removes the reasons we normally boast: we aren’t accepted by God because of our success/possessions etc, but only by his grace
- Given what James says in v9-10, what does he mean by ‘boast’ and how is this connected to the gospel?
  He means to take pride in our position: that both the poor and the rich can boast in their position because it tells of the gospel. The poor are exalted by the gospel – they have nothing that the world thinks as valuable, yet Jesus lifts them up. The rich are so sinful Jesus had to die for them, they are no more worthy than the poor, yet Jesus did die for them. Rich and poor can boast in the grace of Christ.
- ‘The gospel humbles the rich and lifts up the poor.’ Discuss.
  Use this question if the two above have not drawn out how the gospel is for both rich and poor
In v10 what reason does James give for the rich boasting in humiliation?
- How can we keep our mortality before our eyes?
  There is no ‘one way’ to do this. Examples might include: thinking often of your death, of what you will leave behind, of what people will say at your funeral, of how not even your great grandchildren will likely know your name; by attending others’ funerals; by taking the opportunity to view the dead body of a friend/relation when it is laid out prior to a funeral; to take walks in graveyards when you are passing one and take the time to read the gravestones.

Read Proverbs 30:7-9:
- In what way might both the rich and the poor put their trust in money?
  The rich person will, naturally, look to their wealth to help them – it pays for university, health care, leisure activities etc. When faced with problems, their wealth helps them overcome them. However, while the poor may have less they may still look to money as their security – they may save it and spend it very carefully. They may work hard at trying to earn more. They may wish they had more, resenting those who do, or take part in things like the lottery to try and win it.
Jesus describes riches as deceitful (Mark 4:19). What does he mean by that?
Riches promise you what they ultimately cannot give you: security and happiness. To have money helps, but it can also hinder virtuous character of formation and faith.

Download the complete study: Bible study on James (PDF)