James 1:8-11

So there's this guy that is somewhat different from the man who lacks wisdom and in faith asks God for wisdom. Instead, this man doubts and should not expect to receive anything from God. What is said about this man is that he is double-minded. Why is this man double-minded? Well, first of all, he is asking God for wisdom, so he acknowledges God in some way, shape or form. However, he seems double-minded about God because he doubts. There are two sides he is playing on in his mind because he appeals to God, but at the same time, he doubts God. Playing both sides causes him to be unstable in all his ways, because he is not sure or sticking to one or the other.

Moving on to the next passage, there is a lowly brother and a rich brother. The lowly is to boast in his high position, and the rich is to boast in his humility. The reason for this is given through an illustration of a flower of the grass that passes away from the scorching heat of the sun. This is related to a rich man who will fade away in his pursuits. Another translation relates the boasting to God's honoring of them and God's humbling of them. This seems fairly God focused, and that makes sense because these two people are brothers. The natural thing for people to do is for rich people to boast in their exaltation. However, doing such a thing would be just like the world. In addition, it seems less of a focus on God, even though you can still boast in your riches with respect to them being given to you by God. Regardless, the point is that these high positions will eventually pass away. Those who boast in those things will fade away. Do not be like those people who being rich, boast in their wealth.