The Heart of the Rich.
James 1:9-18NIV
If you’ve ever gotten an e-mail from some Nigerian prince who claims to need your help getting five or ten million dollars out of his country, you might wonder who in his right mind would respond to such an obvious phishing attack. I guess the answer must be that somebody does, or those thieves would stop doing it. If you throw enough mud onto a wall, some of it will stick. If you bet that everyone is honest and intelligent, sooner or later you’ll lose the bet.
James 1:9NIV Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.
James notes that believers who become worthy through the truth of God’s Word, and hold God’s truth to a higher esteem, more than just the wealth created from this world system—Such as, cash assets, and maybe real-estate, that believer is blessed!
James 1:9TLB A Christian who doesn’t amount to much in this world should be glad, for he is great in the Lord’s sight.
Riches quickly fade away; the rich and noble are often unmindful of the true source of their dignity.
Jesus spoke in Luke 12:48b…For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.
According to scripture the rich are a lot more accountable. They will be judged by what they did with what they were given.
William Boice once wrote: "-- Dear Lord, I have been re-reading the record of the rich young ruler and his obviously wrong choice. But it has set me thinking. No matter how much wealth he had, he could not ride in a car, have any surgery, turn on a light, buy penicillin, hear a pipe organ, watch TV, wash dishes in running water, type a letter, mow a lawn, fly in an airplane, sleep on an Tempur-pedic mattress or talk on the phone. if he was rich, then what am I?”
James 1:10NIV But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.
True Riches—
A tax officer asked an old man to declare his wealth.
The Old man declared his riches like this:
A mansion in heaven
Everlasting life
Peace that passes all understanding
Joy unspeakable
Divine love that never fails
A crown of life
A faithful wife
Healthy, Happy & obedient children
Loyal friends
Songs in the night
The tax officer closed his book and said: “Truly you are a very rich man. But your wealth is not subject to taxation.”
James 1:10TM Prosperity is as short-lived as a wildflower, so don’t ever count on it. You know that as soon as the sun rises, pouring down its scorching heat, the flower withers. Its petals wilt and, before you know it, that beautiful face is a barren stem. Well, that’s a picture of the “prosperous life.”
If godly prosperity, isn’t all important, then a Christians giving means nothing.
Have you ever wondered—What would happen on this earth without Christians?
No giving.
No love.
No personal and family values.
No morale code.
James 1:11NIV 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 will fade away even while they go about their business.
Again, the wealthy should live with humility, they should refuse to place trust in their deep pockets.
James plea, is for the wealthy to keep their priorities in order.
James 1:11TM At the very moment everyone is looking on in admiration, it fades away to nothing.
The rich accumulate, and many times when they perish their riches are tied up in legality.
I had a wealthy uncle and aunt, that once owned all the properties of a major airport, He was a Veterinary and a Health Inspector. They never had children, when they died they never made a proper will; therefore, their inheritance was tied up in legality and most of it was eaten away by the Lawyers of the banks.
Other times, the wealth acquired goes to ungrateful children.
What does the Bible teach about riches?
Psalm 112:1-5NLT Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands. 2 Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed. 3 They themselves will be wealthy, and their good deeds will last forever. 4 Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous. 5 Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly.
Listen to the traits of those that are truly rich:
The Godly fear the Lord.
They delight great in God’s word, obeying its commands.
Their children will be successful.
A entire generation of God’s people will be blessed.
They will be wealthy.
Their deeds will last forever.
7. They’re generous, compassionate, and righteous.
8. Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly.
James 1:12NIV Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
What are some of the trials people with riches face?
Becoming stringy—hoarding.
Becoming untrusting.
Wealth becoming their Idol.
Anxiety over their wealth.
James 1:12TPT If your faith remains strong, even while surrounded by life’s difficulties, you will continue to experience the untold blessings of God! True happiness comes as you pass the test with faith, and receive the victorious crown of life promised to every lover of God!
“Your faith in God gives you the ability to pass every test.” P.H
James 1:13-15NIV When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Remember, James 1:2NKJV My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
This should be understood by every believer. God does not temp; Temptation comes when a person is drawn away by their own lust and desires.
Again, James 1:2TPT My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can!
Desires act like lures to a fish, sometimes they’re shiny and very enticing—The tempted say, “Just once won’t hurt.”
James 1:15TPT Evil desires give birth to evil actions. And when sin is fully mature it can rob and even murder you!
Full blown sin gives birth to death.
For the godly, Those who keep their priorities in order, shall live forever—they will shine.
Job 23:10NKJV But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.
“The test that come should make the believer shine.” P.H
Some monuments are grand, like one in Cartersville, Ga. named Oak Hill Cemetery. The monument of one—Rev. Sam Jones. The monument long like a sword pointing upward towards the heavens. It’s a monument you won’t soon forget.
Daniel 12:3TLB “And those who are wise—the people of God—shall shine as brightly as the sun’s brilliance, and those who turn many to righteousness will glitter like stars forever.
James 1:16-18NKJV Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
Notice, “God’s own will, God’s own word brought us out. Before we knew we needed deliverance, God’s word made a way!”
Good gifts are from above—Gifts coming down from the Father of Lights. Our Creator, our Lord and Savior.
Notice, it’s the Word of Truth—God word eternal. Rock solid eternal truth. His promises you can depend.
James 1:16-18TM So, my very dear friends, don’t get thrown off course. 17 Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. 18 There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle. He brought us to life using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all his creatures.
In closing, These gifts come straight from heaven, rivers of light cascading down.
Always remember, “It’s God’s Word, God’s truth that has given us life!”
Benediction.
