10But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. 11For 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.
Comments by Joan Boney ...
So why in the world would you be impressed with a rich man and his accomplishments. Remember the end.
And the same is true of the famous ... actors, actresses, authors ... Remember the end.
And politicians who could not be elected to any office except they please the people and compromise their lives away even before they get to the starting gate.
How did the rich get there?
I've seen so many biographies of rich and famous people and have often been shocked at their ruthlessness in their rise to riches and fame. Then often at then end these same rich and famous people try to give to the poor and announce their gifts where the whole world can see what good people they are.
So I have no problem at all with what James wrote about the rich and the rich man perishing in his ways.
Others of us could have been rich or famous had we compromised what God said. Thank God this didn't happen.
Hopefully we are not admiring the rich or famous ... we need to curb that awe if it is there, remembering his end as shown us by scripture.
Psa. 49 ... 6They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; 7None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: 8(For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:) 9That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption. 10For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others. 11Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names. 12Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish. 13This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah. 14Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.
... Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; 17For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him. 18Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself. 19He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light. 20Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.
We who are born again, chosen by God as HIS own, have the greatest riches any human could have ... we have been given the Spirit of God ... not only have we the power to overcome now on this present earth, but we have also been given and life with God and with Jesus Christ.