James 1:11

Today is Wednesday, so begin by reviewing 1 Corinthians 13 before going on to our passage in James.

¹¹ 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 man will fade away even while he goes about his business. (NIV)

¹¹ For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. (ESV)


From my MacArthur commentary....
James draws... a picture of Palestine's flowers and flowering grasses, which colorfully flourish in February and dry up by May. This is a clear allusion to Isaiah 40:6-8, which speaks of the scorching sirocco wind that burns and destroys plants in its path. This picture from nature illustrates how divinely wrought death and judgment can quickly end the wealthy person's dependence on material possessions.

Today's verse is pretty long, so I'm taking the liberty of deciding that we will take 2 days to learn this one.  You can divide it into two parts if you like, or just go over the whole thing for two days, it's up to you.

James 1:10

Today is Tuesday so begin the day by reviewing the book of Titus.

¹⁰ But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. (NIV)

¹⁰ and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. (ESV)

From my MacArthur Commentary....
This refers to the rich believer's being brought low by trials. Such experiences help him rejoice and realize that genuine happiness and contentment depend on the true riches of God's grace, not earthly wealth.

Don't forget, as we're memorizing, to meditate on the truth contained within the words.  Repeat, repeat, repeat!

James 1:9

Today is Monday so begin by reviewing all the Psalms.  Then review James 1:1-8 before going on to today's verse....

⁹ The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position.(NIV)

⁹ Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, (ESV)

Both poverty and riches can cause us to focus on the world rather than on God. Thankfully, God is no respecter of persons - IOW, poor and rich are of equal value in God's eyes.  In this verse, James says for the poor to boast or glory in their high status in Christ.  They may be poor according to the world, but God will exalt or vindicate them.

Another short one today!  Repeat, repeat, repeat.

James 1:8

⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. (NIV)

⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (ESV)

A continuation of v7, this verse again confirms that we need to trust in GOd's goodness.  Those who are torn between God and the world are double-minded and unstable.

It's nice that these are relatively short!  Repeat over and over and over.

Spend Saturday and Sunday reviewing James 1:1-8 and we'll start with v9 on Monday!