James 1:11

For the sun ariseth with the scorching wind, and withereth the grass; and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his goings.

This verse is a simple statement of truth regarding all of the rich and mighty of this world. All that is said here of the rich man is likewise true of the poor man; but it is especially the rich and powerful who need this admonition, the same being noted here as further persuasion for the rich brethren to become "poor in spirit." Some take a different view; but as Carson said:

Some take the "rich" to refer to the unbeliever; but the meaning is unsatisfactory, e.g., "let the rich man if he will glory in his degradation," the words being ironical.[28]

Before leaving this beautiful simile drawn from natural phenomena, it is appropriate to observe that James particularly appreciated such comparisons, using quite a number of them, as follows: "surge of the sea" (James 1:6); "flower of the grass" (James 1:10), "rough winds" (James 3:4), "much wood ... kindled by small fire" (James 3:5), "the wheel of nature" (James 3:6), "beasts and birds" (James 3:7), "the fountain" (James 3:11), "a fig tree" (James 3:12), "the early and latter rain" (James 5:7), etc.