“lasting legacy” Jas 1:1-11 (focus vs 9-11) WBC 28/9/3am
A rich man named Carl loved to ride his horse through his vast estate to congratulate himself on his wealth. One day on such a ride, he came on Hans, an old tenant farmer who had sat down to eat his lunch in the shade of a great oak tree. Hans’ head was bowed in prayer. When Hans looked up, he said, "Oh, excuse me, Sir. I didn’t see you. I was giving thanks for my food."
"Hmph!" snorted the rich man, Carl. He noticed the coarse dark bread and cheese which made up the old man’s lunch. "If that were all I had to eat, I don’t think I would feel like giving thanks."
"Oh," replied Hans, "it is quite sufficient. But it is remarkable that you should come by today, Sir. I . . . I feel I should tell you, I had a strange dream just before awakening this morning."
"And what did you dream?" Carl asked with an amused smile.
The old man answered, "There was beauty and peace all around, and yet I could hear a voice saying, `The richest man in the valley will die tonight.’"
"Dreams!" cried Carl. "Nonsense!" He turned and galloped away.
Hans prayed as he watched horse and rider disappear.
Die tonight, mused Carl. It was ridiculous, of course! No use his going into a panic. The best thing to do about the old man’s dream was to forget it. But he couldn’t forget it. He had felt fine, at least until Hans described his stupid dream. Now he didn’t feel too well. That evening he called his doctor, who was also a personal friend. "Could you come over?" he asked. "I need to talk to you." When the doctor arrived, Carl told him the old man’s dream--how the richest man in the valley would die that night.
"Sounds like poppycock to me," the doctor said, "but for your peace of mind, let’s examine you." A little later, his examination complete, the doctor was full of assurances. "Carl, you’re as strong and healthy as that horse of yours. There’s no way you’re going to die tonight." Carl thanked his friend and told him how foolish he felt for being upset by an old man’s dream.
It was about 9 a.m. when a messenger arrived at Carl’s door. "It’s old Hans," the messenger said. "He died last night in his sleep."
This story is told by Henry Gariepy in PORTRAITS OF PERSEVERANCE, (Wheaton, Illinois: Victor Books, 1989). www.sermoncentral.com
INTRODUCTION
You know- it’s hard to keep up with James’ apparent changes of themes!
- this bit can leave you kind of bewildered! How did we get onto wealth?
o We were on trails of various kinds only a second ago!
Maturity, wisdom being the aim. Perseverance the means
But, though he may be a grasshopper- he’s a preacher, too. Must be linked somehow!
They are. It’s continuing the theme, in fact:
THE TRIAL OF MONEY
Money can be a trial, too. And like any ‘trial’ it can be a threat or a blessing to the journey of our soul
- either way! Not enough; “oh, I wish I had their money, then I wouldn’t have to worry’
o or “I wish I didn’t have this responsibility”
o seriously! I’ve counselled some to take the HARD option, and be good stewards of their money
It’s not just the rich who have money probs!
Of course, money is neutral. But because it has great power (out there, and on us)… and because it is sneaky, subtle and insidious in it’s workings on us
- the Bible tells us often how to win the trial and tests it puts on our lives.
o And your attitude to money can be a litmus test of the health of your soul
It’s true that material things can – be a great blessing, or can wage war against your soul
- in our culture, they are mainly a hindrance, I reckon
- Illustr: still processing the comparison between the people of Lagos who have so little yet are SO RICH, and us who have everything… but can be so poor
’We are a society with everything to live with and nothing to live for’.
- Victor Frankl.
I don’t want that of you or me, this morning. I want us to have life to the full… and leave a LASTING LEGACY behind us.
And the incredible thing about the church… here … James’ audience is the diversity of the group
- those happy (encouraged ion ch 5 to ‘sing songs of praise’
- those in trials…. Those about to go through trials
- those rich…. Those poor
Where else would you get this? At the golf club? Working man’s club?
- it’s one of the greatest miracles and testimonies: our diversity
o all at the same level before God.
o (still- probably not diverse enough)
Our dealings with money- and the pride and humbling experiences that come with it… are seen by James as one of the trials of life… part of its rich tapestry… like the earlier verses
- and James wants us to ‘count it ALL pure joy’!
THE HEAVENLY PERSPECTIVE
And we’re not to think about money, status and success like the world does.
- we are to have a different perspective. New perspective. A heavenly one
o brought by the wisdom that is ‘from heaven’ (3:17)
o the wisdom that comes from asking God, and fearing Him
Now- I KNOW this is easy for me to preach on, and HARD for you… if you’re worried about your job… providing
- but may the Lord speak to you, today!!!
o money is NO problem for Him. Only us! He’s got lots of it. He also became poor for our sakes.
So HE knows. He’ll provide. He’ll help you not be corrupted by your salary
• IF you’ll get this ‘heavenly wise perspective’
•
We’re supposed to see these things in the light of
ETERNITY
- I know it matters, now… but does it in eternity?
o How much ort how little you’ve got
- We’re all on the same footing before God, now… and eternally
Mrs Anna Sophia (Turja) Lundi, one of the survivors of the Titanic would sit her seven children down on the anniversary of the sinking (14-15 April) and tell them the story again. The phrase she would always close with, and repeated throughout her life was "I can never understand why God would have spared a poor Finish girl when all those rich people drowned".
She died in California in 1982 age 89
o Enter & depart naked. No pockets in a shroud
o Illustr: this has made one of my best mates change his attitude- wants to enjoy/use it now (as well as being wise)
“all my future planning may be useless. Will be if I haven’t made the most of NOW”
A man at a ’down and out’ crashpad wouldn’t de-vest for washing. Something precious next to his skin? Had all his worlds savings sown as a vest- but most of the notes were huge and out of date- invalid!
WISDOM
- that says & understands that BOTH can be a blessing or a handicap.
o Opportunity for growth… or vitrification of the soul
- Need to overcome BOTH… make it through both plenty or poverty… with Jesus as Lord and growth of your maturity/faith
PR 30:8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
PR 30:9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, `Who is the LORD?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God.
How do you do this? If you’re in plenty
- hold it lightly
- use it wisely
- tithe it completely. (make sure God’s work gets its share. Guideline = 10%. Min 5% to your local fellowship)
- serve God… follow the book. Don’t let the power of money tempt you to compromise or disobey
Of course this applies to both plenty AND poverty! But if you’re in need, learn to
- trust Him for your provision (‘and even if he doesn’t… we won’t follow idols)
Here’s the thing from this passage: if you’re skint- take pride that
- your life has tremendous potential for spiritual growth… god’s provision
- you ARE rich in god’s sight. High position. God can bless you through this
If you’re wealthy
- it’s from God… for God. Can go just like that!
o Use it… not it OWN you
Please, friends. Don’t get wrapped up in the ways of the world
-see it from God’s perspective… wisdom
For the believer- all of life’s paths (plenty & poverty, trials & joy) lead to the same great spiritual end
- wisdom & maturity, now. If we persevere
- heaven (ultimately). Measure things by eternity
all things work together for good. You and God will make them do so!
- > don’t let money de-rail you from any of these ends
In summary: struggling? – say ‘how rich I am!’. ‘what an opportunity for blessing!’
(I know this is hard!)
- ‘it’s hard, but you can come through on this, Lord’
“Be assured, if you walk with Him and look to Him, and expect help from Him, He will never fail you." (though may FEEL like it! Let’s be honest)
— George Mueller
Plenty?- ‘say how frail I am’
Either way- put your faith into action
- pray for provision. Persevere
- provide for others. Give it away
THE CHRISTIAN GOAL
Is to: grow and make a difference
- leave a lasting legacy behind. Not just money for your children
- to have done something for the KOG with – our lives
• our money
So that there is fruit –on earth… in heaven
Verse 11 is describing the rich person (or poor, for that matter) who hasn’t built
- on Jesus… for the KOG
o they’ve just built an empire. For themselves.
- The heat comes and it’s worthless. Wilts like a flower. They’ve been busy about their business. But its evanescent: fades away
Are you leaving a lasting legacy? Building for what matters/counts? With the wisdom from God… FOR God?
Take my life and let it be
Oh Lord, give me an undivided heart
