The Truly Rich.

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.