Six months after starting this devotional blog, we've written 125 posts and had over 4600 page views! I really hope that your life is being touched and blessed by our conversations with God.
Today, I'm going to James 5:1-6 to hear what God might want to say. My first response? Ouch! I think I've just been God-smacked. Have you noticed that Scripture doesn't hold back? It speaks deepest love to us and also smacks us good when we need it. No holding back or fear of hurting anyone's feelings is to be seen among the writers of Scripture. But then again, they were inspired by the Holy Spirit. So if you're not the mouthpiece of God you still need to practice tactfulness! This statement is jumping out at me:
Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. (v. 2-3)
Wow, that's pretty intense! So what's up here? Is God angry with people for being wealthy? Well, that wouldn't make sense because God is the giver of wealth (Ecclesiastes 5:19). Abraham was very wealthy, as was David, Solomon and Job. However, something has changed since their day. Jesus has come. Though he owned everything, he has modeled for us a life of self-giving. These are the last days. We've been in the last days since Jesus returned. We are to live on the brink of eternity with a view to what's next.
And what should that perspective be? That whatever wealth God blesses us with is not only for us to enjoy but for us to use wisely to bless others. We're not living to build our own little kingdoms here in this present world. We're living to receive God's Kingdom and to help bring it into the experience of everyone we can. If you understand that you are living in the last days, God says, you can't possibly think of hoarding all your material blessings for yourself. Why not? You want to use them to honor God and bless others so that you are sending them ahead of you into eternity to the only place where you can enjoy them forever.
A friend of mine just donated a significant amount of money towards the well that we are sponsoring to be built in Guatemala. That's a great example of last-days living. I don't want to end up standing before God with all this stuff and money I hoarded and having him ask me how I used his blessings to invest in his purposes.
And you know what? God doesn't want me to end up in that unenviable situation either. That's why he is warning us here in language that will get our attention. Lord, I hear what you're saying. I really do. My stuff is really your stuff. Thank you for giving me this trust. I will do my best, by your grace, to manage it well and share your goodness.
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In this time of worry over economic conditions this was a great reminder, Chris. It is more blessed to give than to receive, Jesus said. And He taught us to pray for our DAILY bread. How does all this relate to planning for retirement, etc.? Saving for a rainy day? We need to do that, and yet, holding back from giving when we see a real need, that is sinful, I believe. Wish some of you would join in this discussion. It is a very timely thought from God today. Blessings on as as we pray for wisdom and generosity of heart.
ReplyDeleteGod is so good to remind us when we are not living our lives to build his kingdom. Being generous is such a great feeling and a wonderful way to bless our Lord, yet it is so hard for most of us to do. It is much easier to give of our time or talents then to give of our finances. But, God calls us to be cheerful givers and to not hoard all for ourselves. Excellent post, Chris!
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