As I preached through James recently, I became fascinated with trials and tests. It was not just a matter of idle exegetical curiosity, since by any measure the church I am part of belongs to the wealthiest class of the most materialistic civilisation on earth. We just expect to have whatever we want and I struggle with greed as much as anyone. I concluded that being rich is a trial as much as suffering hardship. This might be a hard thing for someone who is not rich to accept—how can the rich complain?! But this appears to be the teaching of God’s word here in the letter of James.
What are trials?
The commandment in James 1 to be joyful in the face of trials (v.2) evokes images of Daniel leaping into the den of lions or the apostle Paul singing in prison. In our context, we imagine Christians giving thanks to God outside the smouldering remains of their house or singing hymns of praise at the funeral of a loved one.
We think of ‘trials’ as difficult, painful things that happen to us such as persecution, sickness, accidents, financial disaster, the death of a loved one. Trials involve some material or personal loss causing us to grieve. If life is going well and we are enjoying safety, health and prosperity, then for the moment we are free from trials.
In terms of economics, we naturally think that the poor and disadvantaged are facing trials and the wealthy and successful are trial free. But in James God warns that it is a trial to be rich. And he doesn’t mean merely the worry about stock market crashes or bludging relatives.
Trials are tests. The word ‘trial’ has two related senses both in Greek and English. A trial can be a difficult experience, but it can also be a test or examination as in a trial school exam, a trial football match or court trial. It is not just that the experience is painful but that it tests our mettle. The trial examines us—it asks us questions of ourselves.
This is the key idea in James 1. Trials are a test of our faith (vv. 2, 12) to prove its genuineness. We find the same words and thought in 1 Peter 1:7. Trials have come so that our faith may be proved genuine (lit. “the testing of your faith”). To pass the test is to win the approval of God or men (Rom 12:2; 1 Cor 3:13; 2 Cor 10:18; 13:5-7; 1 Thess 2:4; 2 Tim 2:15).
Trials, then, are a positive test, to make us succeed not fail. Like a trial exam or trial sporting match, their purpose is to prepare us for success, not to disqualify us. Trials test our faith to make us persevere as believers in Christ, to attain the full maturity of life in heaven. Then we will receive the crown of life (Jam 1:4,12).
But trials can have a negative outcome. God’s purpose is not to trip us up, but our own evil desires can entice us to sin and ultimately lead to death instead of life. Our English translations (NIV) capture this nuance of ‘trial’ (vv. 2,12) and ‘tempt’ (vv. 13-14). The experience is a trial, not just because it is hard to bear but because it involves an enticement to sin due to our own desire (vv. 13-15). The temptation is a trial or test of whether the Christian will persevere in faith or be double minded.
Any experience can be a trial in the sense of a testing of true faith. In various ways, James asks us the big question: are we genuine Christians or shams?
Testing in the Bible
The testing of God’s covenant people is a strong theme in the history of his saving work. James himself points us back to Abraham (2:20-24) and Job (5:11).
God tested Abraham (Gen 22:1) by requiring the sacrifice of his only son of promise, Isaac. Abraham was asked the question, would he fear God? (v. 12). Abraham passed the test, trusting in God’s provision and blessing, not just for himself and his descendants but for all nations. Abraham was strengthened in faith and was considered righteous (2:21).
Similarly, Job was tested by God so that he might come forth as gold (Job 23:10). Although his household, wealth and health are taken from him, Job can testify, “my feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside. I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.” (Job 23:11-12).
God led his chosen people into the desert to humble and test them, to know what was in their hearts, to teach them that man does not live by bread alone, to remind them that it is he who gives the ability to produce wealth (Deut 8). The exam was set by a merciful Yahweh that they might be mature and complete, lacking nothing. These sons of God failed the test—they were seriously double minded. But the true son of God persevered in the face of the same test (Mt 4:1-11), for our salvation.
The test of materialism
There is a fundamental question being asked of God’s people throughout Scripture: will we serve him or money (Mat 6:24)? Will we worship and serve created things or their Creator (Rom 1:25)?
In James, poor and rich alike are being examined—and everyone in between. Here are some of James’s exam questions:
- Will you poor boast in your life in heaven (1:9, 12)?
- Will you rich boast in your death (1:10-11)?
- Will you look after orphans and widows (1:27)?
- Will you show favouritism to the rich (2:1-4)?
- Will you insult the poor (2:6)?
- Will you love your neighbour as yourself (2:8)?
- Will you show your faith by your deeds (2:14-19)?
- Will you be a friend of the world or of God (4:1-6)?
- Will you boast about tomorrow (4:13-17)?
- Will you live in luxury and self-indulgence (5:1-6)?
Notice that most of the exam is set for the rich.
James urges upon us two ways to respond. If our trial is hardship, aim for pure joy because God is graciously testing us so that we pass the final exam (1:2-4). If our trial is wealth, go for mourning and gloom, not laughter and joy, because of the misery of failing the final exam (4:9-10; 5:1-6). We tend to reverse these emotions, mourning in our poverty and laughing all the way to the bank.
But the rich are in greater danger of failing the test.
As for me, I’m with Agur when he prayed, “keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread” (Prov 30:8).
