James 1:1-12
James addresses his brethren: Christians who have come out from the Jewish system, but who have not yet fully broken their links with it. He invites them to reckon trials as "all joy": words which at first sight do not go well together. Yet some of the Hebrew Christians had already found this to be a reality (Hebrews 10:34). Their experience endorses Paul’s declaration: "we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh (cultivates) patience" (Romans 5:3; cf. Colossians 1:11). There is another apparent contradiction: while patience implies waiting for what we do not yet have, James adds, "wanting nothing". What may cause us to be truly wanting is not a lack of earthly wealth, but lack of wisdom. So let us ask the Lord for wisdom, following the example of young Solomon (1 Kings 3:9).
Even if he is poor a Christian does not lack anything, since he has the Lord Jesus. The rich person though brought low can rejoice in fellowship with Him who made Himself nothing and humbled Himself even to the death of the cross. Shall we envy those who will pass away like the flower of the field? Let us keep the crown of life in view. It will be the recompense of those who have endured tribulation with patience, in other words those who love the Lord (end of v. 12).