Tag: wealth

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James

Where we put our trust

James

Who or what do you put your trust in? Trials tend to reveal this clearly.

For many, it’s in worldly wealth. They think that money is the solution to all their problems. And so for those who have wealth, they pour all their money into their problems. And for those without, they waste all their time pining after it.

But in doing so, they become double-minded. While they may be asking God for wisdom to deal with their trials, they’re really looking toward money to solve their problems.

So James says,

The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position—because he will pass away like a wild flower.

For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. (James 1:9-11) 

In times of trial, it’s easy for those without worldly wealth and status to moan after them as if these things would be the solution to all their problems.

But James says, “It’s not wealth or worldly status that counts, but the heavenly wealth and status that you have in Christ.

“So though you may be struggling through these trials, keep your eyes on the things that are eternal, not the things of this world.

“And be content with what you have, knowing that God is with you and will help you through your trials, whether you have money or not.”

It’s in fact very similar to what the writer of Hebrew said to his readers.

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6) 

On the other hand, it’s easy for those who are rich and who think they should have it all together to be humbled by their trials and to wonder what’s going on. To wonder if God has abandoned them.

But James tells the rich, “Take a lesson from the low position you are now in. All your wealth is not saving you from your trials. All your riches, all your possessions will pass away. You will pass away.

“So let your trials refocus you on the things that really matter. And stop relying on the things of this world to save you. Put your faith in God.”

Then he says to both rich and poor,

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. (12)

In short, don’t waver under trial. Don’t waver by seeking the things of this earth and putting your trust in them.

This earth with all its wealth and all its trouble will pass away. But you are looking toward something that will never fade away, everlasting life in heaven, and rewards that will never perish.

What trials are you going through now? Where is your focus in the midst of them? Where are you putting your faith? In money? Or in God?

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Proverbs

What we pursue

In this chapter, we see warnings concerning what we pursue in life.

Solomon starts by saying,

When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. 

Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.  (Proverbs 23:1-3)

In other words, be careful of seeking only material satisfaction, in this case, food.

Solomon notes that when you eat with a ruler, or any person of power or influence, to be very aware of what they are serving, and equally importantly, who they are. 

Consider why they have invited you to dine with them.  If you don’t, they may deceive you into agreeing to something that could lead you to disaster, simply by wining and dining you. 

People who are only concerned with their stomachs are often easily deceived.

Even if they are not, gluttony can destroy their lives.  How many people do you know suffer from health problems because of what and how much they eat? 

So Solomon warns,

Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.  (20-21)

Solomon also notes in these verses the dangers of alcohol. 

He goes into great detail about the consequences of alcoholism and drunkenness at the end of the chapter. 

Alcoholics find sorrow and strife in their lives (29). 

They suffer physically, and their minds become confused (32-33). 

Worse, they become so addicted, they can’t see all the damage that’s being done to their lives.  They only think about the next drink.  (35)

Other people pursue wealth.  All they think about is getting more money. 

But Solomon writes,

Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. 

Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.  (4-5)

In other words, wealth is a temporary thing.  When you die, you can’t bring any of it to heaven.  Worse, as Paul says,

People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.  (1 Timothy 6:9-10)

Money in itself is not evil.  But so many people, in their pursuit of money, have shipwrecked their marriages, their families, their relationships, and even their very lives. 

But even more importantly, as Paul points out, many have shipwrecked their own faith.

Still other people pursue sexual pleasure.  Sex as God designed it, namely, as something to be enjoyed within marriage, is a good thing.  But so many people pursue it outside of marriage to their own sorrow. 

Solomon warns,

A prostitute is a deep pit and a wayward wife is a narrow well. 

Like a bandit she lies in wait, and multiplies the unfaithful among men.  (27-28)

How many people’s, health, marriages, and ministries have been ruined because they took something good and turned it into something bad by pursuing it the wrong way?

So how should we live?  Solomon tells us.

Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD. 

There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.  (17-18)

In short, don’t pursue what the world pursues.  Don’t desire what the world seeks.  Rather, pursue God. 

If we do, Solomon promises that we will have hope for the future.  And that hope will never be cut off.

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Psalms

Where we place our trust

Psalms

Psalm 62 has always been another of my favorite psalms and songs.  In a time of great trouble (when was David ever NOT in trouble), he sang,

My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.  (Psalm 62:1-2)

The thing that strikes me is the words, “in God alone.”

David had lived long enough to realize that people are not always faithful.  That things like money and wealth cannot always be depended upon.

He wrote,

Lowborn men are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie; if weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath.

Do not trust in extortion or take pride in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.  (9-10)

In other words, it doesn’t matter if people are great or small; you cannot always lean on them.  Sometimes they will betray you.

But even if they never do, death claims us all.  The day will come when you will have to learn to stand without them.

And though money, whether honestly or dishonestly gotten by, can seem to buy happiness for a while, it too will eventually leave you empty.

So David says I do not put my trust or hope in these things.  Instead, he says,

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.  (5)

And he tells us as well,

Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.  (8)

Where do you place your trust?  In people?  In wealth?  In yourself?  All of these are false refuges.  And in the end, they will fail us.

There is only one place, one person worthy of our trust.  And so David closes by saying,

One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard:
that you, O God, are strong,
and that you, O Lord, are loving.

Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done.  (11-12)

Let us place our trust in the one who will never fail.