Rich & Poor Series

James 1:9-12 Rich & Poor

For the past several weeks we have been looking at trials, difficulties in life and how Christians are to respond to the difficulties that come in life. This morning I would like us to look at a trial that we are all familiar with. A trial that demonstrates what we really think about God, the trial of finances. Open your Bibles, please an turn with me to the book of James.

- Read James 1:1-12.

Consider it great joy brothers and sisters, when you experience various trials. We examined the difficulties we experience because of trials. We’ve looked at the importance of making God for wisdom in the midst of our trials, but one of the greatest tests of our faith, one of the greatest trials of our faith is the area of our finances, and how we handle money.

Verse 9 says, “Let the brother of humble circumstances, and then verse 10 begins, but let the rich. The humble verses the rich. You know, that is one of the areas politicians are trying to divide us today, trying to get those with little to be jealous of, or to covet what those with more have, and desire to take it from the.

Why do we have a separation of rich and poor in the first place? Why do we have differences in economic status between people anyway? Honestly, there have almost always been disparities between the economic conditions of people.

Remember when the Israelites left the captivity of Egypt? They had all been slaves in Egypt. Then, on the night they left Egypt, the Egyptians gave the Israelites all of their money and jewels to entice them to leave, so they were all wandering the desert, jewels in the their luggage, and no place to spend it. They were all given inheritances in the promised land, and yet even there we read in Deuteronomy 5:3-5,

> Deuteronomy 15:3-5, “You may collect something from a foreigner, but you must forgive whatever your brother owes you. 4There will be no poor among you, however, because the LORD will surely bless you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance, 5if only you obey the LORD your God and are careful to follow all these commandments I am giving you today.…”

If only you obey My commands. They didn’t and so there were poor among them even then. Jesus said in

> Mark 14:7 & Matthew 26:11, “The poor you will have with you always.”

Why is that? There are a number of reasons why people have unequal financial situations.

I. WHY PEOPLE HAVE UNEQUAL FINANCIAL SITUATIONS

1. Unequal gifts - One reason there are differences in peoples’ financial situations is because of unequal gifts.

Let’s face it. Some people are more gifted than others. Some of ya’ll are familiar with GEL Recycling in Orange City. You’ll see their garbage trucks around. That company was owned by Gene Evans. I knew him way back when he only had Dixie Septic Tank in Orange City. I remember growing up, it seemed that everything that man touched turn to gold.

He started with Dixie Septic Tank, then he had the Orange City Landfill, then recycling services, then one business after another. It seems that everything that man touched turned out well.

And it wasn’t because of inherited money. His dad worked for him. He was an alcoholic who lived in Enterprise, and was drunk within an hour of getting off of work each day.

Some people do well because they are unusually gifted.

2. Unequal work ethics - Let’s face it, some people end up with differing outcomes because of unequal work ethics. Let’s be honest, some people will always have an excuse for why they cannot get ahead, or why someone else has it easier. They take off early on Friday and call in sick on Monday.

> Proverbs 6:6-11 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.

Some of ya’ll are familiar with Hardy Construction. You see their signs around. I grew up with the man who owns that company, Thad Hardy. He had a step dad he couldn’t get along with, so while he was in high school he moved out. Many times in high school he lived on just Publix Mac and Cheese.

Started working clearing land. Bought one tractor then another, and grew his company. He worked while the guys he went to school with were playing and partying.