Ministry of Grace Church

For the sun rose with a burning heat and the garden withered; its flower fell, and the beauty of its appearance completely perished. So the rich man also will be extinguished in his journeys.

Truth to Learn

This life and our possessions are only temporary. Do not be lifted up by pride or put your security in these fleeting things. Put your security in the grace of God.

Behind the Words

Anetellō is the Greek word translated “rose.” It is a compound word made up of ana, meaning “up,” and tellō, meaning “to set out for a goal” or “to rise.”

“A burning heat” is from tō kausōn, which comes from the verb kaiō, meaning “to burn.” Thus, kausōn refers to “a burning heat.” The presence of the definite article tō, however, indicates a specific type of burning heat. As a result it could be translated as “the scorching heat.”

The words “will be extinguished” are translated from marainō which means “to put out or extinguish as with a fire.” Here it carries the meaning that the rich man will cease to exist on this earth.

“Journeys” is the translation of poreia, which means “travels” or “journeys.” Most likely it is a reference to the rich man’s journeys through life.

Meaning Explained

Staying with his focus on the rich man and his wealth, James points out that “the sun rose with a scorching heat, the garden withered, its flower fell, and its beauty is gone.” Flowers in a garden are quite beautiful but they are delicate and temporary. They only last a short time and it takes but a single day’s worth of hot, scorching sun and wind before they wither and disappear.

The same is true with a wealthy man and his riches; they are but temporary possessions, not eternal. We humans look on the outward things, the attractive things, the possessions. However, these things can be stripped away in an instant. The real wealth is that which is produced by the trials which produce humility and a strengthened faith. The most valuable thing a man can have is a humble submission to the Almighty Ruler of the earth.

Take Job as an example. He had great wealth. Yet, by God’s permission, it was taken from him, not because he was evil, but because God chose to do it. Even Job had to learn that it is God who rules the world, not himself, and certainly not riches.

Then Job answered the LORD and said: “I know that You can do everything, And no purpose of Yours is withheld from You. … I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye has seen You. Therefore I dispise myself, I have repented in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:1, 2, 5, 6)

Even a rich man who lives a long life will one day cease to exist on this earth. In the eternal state he will be no different from the poor beggar except for the spiritual riches that either one of them may have sent on ahead of time.

Application

We are all on a journey through this life. And, like the great men of faith listed in Hebrews chapter 11 we should recognize that we are but strangers and pilgrims on this earth. Let us realize that all that we are and all that we have are gifts from God. All of our possessions come from Him, so let us give Him the praise and the glory for everything.