The rich should take PRIDE in their HUMILIATION

[tonychanyt]

James 1:

10 the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.

How do you think I could interpret this paradox?

Let's see the parallelism in James 1:9-10a

Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.
but the rich should take pride in their humiliation

This is a contrast between the humble and the rich. James reminds the humble people of their high position in Christ and the rich people of their humiliation in God's eyes.

James emphasizes the heavenly/vertical perspective. Horizontally speaking, riches are transient, as he further explains:

9b since they [the rich with their material wealth] will pass away like a wild flower. 11For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

Near the end of his letter, he again emphasizes the transient nature of physical things in James 4:14

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

Rich people should not take pride in their riches. Instead, they should take pride in their humility in Christ who has graciously saved them. Their riches cannot save them.