One of the biggest challenges Christians face is looking at what someone else has and then being jealous of that. And the object of jealousy does not necessarily have to be money or material possessions like a car or a house. It could be the relationship one has with a spouse, or children, or jealous of someone else’s relationship with God. Jealousy is nothing new; it is nearly as old as the human race.
When Jesus’ brother, James, writes the churches of Christ which grew up out of the synagogues scattered throughout the Mediterranean world, he dealt with this jealousy – even animosity – between wealthy Christians – the “haves” – and the poor Christians – the “have-nots.” As early as 1:9-10, James talks about the brother in “humble circumstances” and the “rich man.” James will use the word “rich” five times in his five chapters. He uses the word “poor” four times, all in chapter 2 (2:2-3, 5-6), but there appears to be that issue that is behind practically all James has to say.
YOU DO NOT HAVE BECAUSE YOU DO NOT ASK – 4:1-5:
I believe in this first paragraph that the major idea James wants to get across is in verse 2: “You do not have because you do not ask.” Do you need something? Do you want something? Are you asking God for it? We know that Jesus has promised us on numerous occasions that He will give us what we ask; just to give two examples: Mark 11:24; 1 John 5:14. Instead of being jealous, or envious, why don’t we just ask God?
BE HUMBLE – 4:6-10:
In the context of our relationship with each other, James emphasizes in this paragraph that we need to be humble. Humility is mentioned twice in this paragraph, in verses 6 and 10. First, James writes that God gives a “greater grace.” Greater than what? Greater than what we can give ourselves. If we are patient and pray to God for what we need, based on His love and wisdom, then the gifts God gives us will be greater. But to experience those greater gifts, we need humility. We need humility to be patient with God; we need humility to wait for God to give us what God knows is best for us, at the right time, to the right degree.
WHO ARE YOU TO JUDGE YOUR NEIGHBOR – 4:11-12:
The third point James makes in this context goes back to the use of the tongue which he cautioned about in the previous chapter. Be careful how you judge your brother. If your brother is wealthier than you, be careful how you judge him, his motives, his choices, and his heart. If your brother is poorer than you, be careful how you judge him, his motives, his choices, and his heart.
LIFE IS A VAPOR – 4:13-16:
James cautions us in verse 14 to remember that we don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow. We better prepared to stand before God tomorrow because it might just happen. Life is a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Life is short; life is fragile; and our physical life is very unimportant compared to our spiritual lives. So why get caught up in envy and jealousy about material things when they are not ultimately significant? Solomon had warned God’s people in Proverbs 27:1 that they should not boast about tomorrow for they do not know what a day can produce.
CONCLUSION:
James’ conclusion is in verse 17: “Therefore,” if we know the right thing to do and then fail to do it, we have sinned. That’s a fairly fundamental definition of sin. We need to do the right thing.
You do not have, because you do not ask. Humble yourself in the presence of God. Do not judge your neighbor. Life is a vapor. Do the right thing.
Paul Holland
