"Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door."
Frustration comes to us all at times. When life appears to have dealt us a lousy hand, we tend to compare our lives with others and covet their prosperity. When calamity strikes with pain and suffering, we question God's sovereignty and whether He truly loves us. When persecution strikes a heavy blow against our psyche for defending God's Word, we begin to calculate whether silence is a better option than speaking truth in love. In any circumstance, James warns the church to guard against internal strife. In essence, he is saying, "Do not turn on one another, because we need one another's strength, encouragement and accountability to survive the tests and trials of life this side of heaven." In theory, this admonition is logical and straight-forward, but the application of its truth is a far greater challenge.
In times of trial, we often focus inward by self-protecting in order to limit the collateral damage produced by the situation testing us. It is natural, human instinct. If someone intends to hurt me, I put my guard up. However, Scripture offers completely opposite perspective to natural, human instinct. "But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them" (Luke 6:27-31). The miraculous power found in the pages of God's Word is unlocked when we allow the Holy Spirit to intrinsically transform our hearts into instruments of love and compassion in the face of trial or persecution. But do not confuse this command either. Jesus does not constitute justification to allow abuse to persist in matters of domestic violence, etc. Rather, "The point of both examples is that, even though believers will often be subject to abuse or taken advantage of, they are to face such rejection differently from the world, that is, by being generous and compassionate rather than retaliating" (ESV Study Bible).
Why is this so critical to understand? Keep in mind that this exhortation is yet another example James gives in order to maintain unity and protect the body of Christ from allowing worldly, cultural ideology from infiltrating the church and causing division. Just because our culture acts a certain way, which is universally accepted as the norm, we are not to assume such behavior is righteous according to the Bible. We must sift our thoughts, attitudes and actions through the filter of Scripture to prove or disprove its validity as righteous behavior. No doubt, that is why the apostle Paul wrote, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2). Our world would obviously disagree to further progress independent thinking and self-reliance, but we know as Christians that in accepting the saving grace of Christ, we have relinquished control of our lives to God. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, 'The righteous shall live by faith.' For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth" (Romans 1:16-18).
Therefore, as we seek to apply reverse psychology against our human instinct, let us remember that James is warning the church not to grumble because of the sufferings affecting them. He has pleaded with them to endure hardships with patience (v.7-8) by viewing their lives from God's perspective, and now he is addressing the attitudes of their hearts as they patiently wait. "For the coming of the Lord is at hand" (v.8) and "the Judge is standing at the door" (v.9). The key to understanding God's sovereignty is to remember who we are (creation) and who He is (Creator). The minute we begin to question the how's and why's of life, we position ourselves as authoritative over God and unfiltered in our demand for reasoning. We believe we deserve answers to our questions and God must comply, otherwise He is assumed as unloving for ignoring our "request" for understanding. As we examined previously, Job similarly found himself questioning the sovereignty of God as did his friends who counseled him in his sorrow and grief, but God did not ignore the sinful heart attitudes that compelled Job and his friends to question Him, but addressed Job twice over three chapters with profound words of judgment. "Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: 'Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me'" (Job 38:1-3).
The key takeaway from the Lord's response to Job that aids our understanding of James 5:9 is found in two questions God asks of Job: "Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be in the right?" (Job 40:8). "At the hands of his three friends, Job knew what it felt like to have what was hidden about him (e.g., the state of his heart before God) questioned and judged by those who had drawn wrong conclusions from what was visible in his circumstances. The Lord now questions Job for overextending his judgment of what his suffering meant about the Lord’s just governance of the world" (ESV Study Bible). What we learn from the example of Job is that God is sovereign and in control, regardless of the tests and trials we find ourselves in over time. For they are ordained by God to refine our character into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ, that we would be holy and blameless on the day of judgment. Our sanctification is not intended to make our lives miserable and tempt us to grumble and complain, but those are methods of spiritual warfare that Satan uses to thwart the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. Therefore, our response must be illogical according to human instinct and counter-cultural, because in order to endure suffering with patience, we must trust the promises of Scripture that comfort our hearts: "For the coming of the Lord is at hand" (v.8) and "the Judge is standing at the door" (v.9).
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
James 5:7-8 (Devotion)
"Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand."
"Patience is a virtue," is a common expression used today. It carries with it a sentiment of calm in the midst of pain, suffering and/or injustice. Patience perseveres while not being succumbed to anger or revenge. It is "the suffering of afflictions, pain, toil, calamity, provocation or other evil, with a calm, unruffled temper; endurance without murmuring or fretfulness" (Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary). Therefore, we should not avoid patience because of the varying degrees of suffering associated with it, but embrace it as a source of strength and fortitude that keeps us grounded in Biblical perspective when calamity strikes. We must recognize that patience is powerful because it trusts in the divine will of God, who is sovereign over all. It endures all things because it is rooted in the Spirit of God that produces a harvest of righteousness in those who trust in the name of Jesus. It is a fruit of the Spirit that blossoms from humble, obedient and submissive hearts to God's standard of righteousness. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law" (Galatians 5:22-23). Therefore, let us cast off our preconceived notions of the perils of patience that come at a great cost, and recognize the eternal value patience provides in the face of adversity.
Prior to this passage, James proclaimed great judgment from the Lord on those who trusted in their wealth over God and went to great lengths to prosper themselves in spite of others. Now, James comes full circle and addresses the afflicted who reaped the unjust consequences of the wealthy's actions. "The attention turns from rich to poor, from the evil oppressors to the righteous oppressed, from presumption to patience. Rather than fighting back, they are called to patient endurance and to trust in God to vindicate them" (ESV Study Bible). Keep in mind that James' example is not frozen in time and inapplicable today based on context, for what is written in Scripture endures the test and construct of time to speak truth to those of us who declare ourselves as born-again followers of Christ. "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account" (Hebrews 4:12-13). In other words, the wisdom James conveys regarding patience in suffering is just as applicable in timing, form and fashion as it has been for over 2,000 years.
The X factor in patience revolves around time. How long will we be required to endure the trials before us? When will our prayers of deliverance be answered? In truth, it is a matter of trust that God will provide according to His Word. As James illustrates, the farmer waits patiently for the harvest, trusting that God will pour forth "the early and the late rains (per the Palestinian climate), in which the autumn rains occur just after sowing and the spring rains just before harvest" (ESV Study Bible). The farmer believes God will deliver what he needs in order to survive, and patience is the tool he uses to survive the test of time until God pours forth His blessing. Subsequently, does that presuppose if patience were not exuded that God would not bring forth rains that the farmer needed? Absolutely not. But what patience does reflect is the deeper heart attitude that believes God to be holy and just, sovereign and long-suffering, despite our inability at times to trust him unconditionally without question or murmuring.
King David wrote, "Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!" (Psalm 37:7). Our worry in times of trial, persecution, opposition, affliction, pain, suffering and/or injustice does not aid in us in any way. It only shackles our minds and baits us into thinking that God is not being fair or that we we need to step up and take control because God appears to be silent. In those moments, we must realize that patience is our provision, not our adversary. Patience gives us strength to endure, not reason to doubt the Lord. It is something we must welcome with open arms because we see patience as God sees it, from His sovereign perspective. It requires a radical shift in our hearts and minds, because typically, we run from "patience tests." We don't pray for patience because we assume God only provides patience in situations and scenarios where our comforts will be interrupted and trial will ensue. We lose sight of the fact that patience is something God has shown us every moment of our lives, to which we are forever indebted by His forgiveness, grace and mercy. That is why Peter sought to provide perspective on the topic of time and patience to the church when he wrote, "But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance" (2 Peter 3:8-9).
When we relinquish our preconceived notions of what is fair in life and embrace patience, we trust that the Lord's coming is only a matter of time—His time. The circumstances around us may be dire, our souls weary, and our faith shaken, but God is true to His Word unconditionally. That is why James began his letter by saying, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 1:2-4). Patience is an integral component of survival here on earth, because we are a fallen generation bent on self-protection and self-sufficiency. We believe we can strong-arm God to act according to what we deem as fair, in our way and in our time so we can avoid trials and suffering. But what we reveal in those moments is that we doubt God's sovereignty, and lack the patience needed to endure the test of time. Therefore, we must stop and allow God's Word to wash over our hearts, reminding us who we are in Christ and the purpose for which we overcome the world through patience. "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith" (1 John 5:4). Because simply stated, the coming of the Lord is at hand and we will give an account to God for decisions we've made this side of heaven.
"Patience is a virtue," is a common expression used today. It carries with it a sentiment of calm in the midst of pain, suffering and/or injustice. Patience perseveres while not being succumbed to anger or revenge. It is "the suffering of afflictions, pain, toil, calamity, provocation or other evil, with a calm, unruffled temper; endurance without murmuring or fretfulness" (Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary). Therefore, we should not avoid patience because of the varying degrees of suffering associated with it, but embrace it as a source of strength and fortitude that keeps us grounded in Biblical perspective when calamity strikes. We must recognize that patience is powerful because it trusts in the divine will of God, who is sovereign over all. It endures all things because it is rooted in the Spirit of God that produces a harvest of righteousness in those who trust in the name of Jesus. It is a fruit of the Spirit that blossoms from humble, obedient and submissive hearts to God's standard of righteousness. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law" (Galatians 5:22-23). Therefore, let us cast off our preconceived notions of the perils of patience that come at a great cost, and recognize the eternal value patience provides in the face of adversity.
Prior to this passage, James proclaimed great judgment from the Lord on those who trusted in their wealth over God and went to great lengths to prosper themselves in spite of others. Now, James comes full circle and addresses the afflicted who reaped the unjust consequences of the wealthy's actions. "The attention turns from rich to poor, from the evil oppressors to the righteous oppressed, from presumption to patience. Rather than fighting back, they are called to patient endurance and to trust in God to vindicate them" (ESV Study Bible). Keep in mind that James' example is not frozen in time and inapplicable today based on context, for what is written in Scripture endures the test and construct of time to speak truth to those of us who declare ourselves as born-again followers of Christ. "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account" (Hebrews 4:12-13). In other words, the wisdom James conveys regarding patience in suffering is just as applicable in timing, form and fashion as it has been for over 2,000 years.
The X factor in patience revolves around time. How long will we be required to endure the trials before us? When will our prayers of deliverance be answered? In truth, it is a matter of trust that God will provide according to His Word. As James illustrates, the farmer waits patiently for the harvest, trusting that God will pour forth "the early and the late rains (per the Palestinian climate), in which the autumn rains occur just after sowing and the spring rains just before harvest" (ESV Study Bible). The farmer believes God will deliver what he needs in order to survive, and patience is the tool he uses to survive the test of time until God pours forth His blessing. Subsequently, does that presuppose if patience were not exuded that God would not bring forth rains that the farmer needed? Absolutely not. But what patience does reflect is the deeper heart attitude that believes God to be holy and just, sovereign and long-suffering, despite our inability at times to trust him unconditionally without question or murmuring.
King David wrote, "Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!" (Psalm 37:7). Our worry in times of trial, persecution, opposition, affliction, pain, suffering and/or injustice does not aid in us in any way. It only shackles our minds and baits us into thinking that God is not being fair or that we we need to step up and take control because God appears to be silent. In those moments, we must realize that patience is our provision, not our adversary. Patience gives us strength to endure, not reason to doubt the Lord. It is something we must welcome with open arms because we see patience as God sees it, from His sovereign perspective. It requires a radical shift in our hearts and minds, because typically, we run from "patience tests." We don't pray for patience because we assume God only provides patience in situations and scenarios where our comforts will be interrupted and trial will ensue. We lose sight of the fact that patience is something God has shown us every moment of our lives, to which we are forever indebted by His forgiveness, grace and mercy. That is why Peter sought to provide perspective on the topic of time and patience to the church when he wrote, "But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance" (2 Peter 3:8-9).
When we relinquish our preconceived notions of what is fair in life and embrace patience, we trust that the Lord's coming is only a matter of time—His time. The circumstances around us may be dire, our souls weary, and our faith shaken, but God is true to His Word unconditionally. That is why James began his letter by saying, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 1:2-4). Patience is an integral component of survival here on earth, because we are a fallen generation bent on self-protection and self-sufficiency. We believe we can strong-arm God to act according to what we deem as fair, in our way and in our time so we can avoid trials and suffering. But what we reveal in those moments is that we doubt God's sovereignty, and lack the patience needed to endure the test of time. Therefore, we must stop and allow God's Word to wash over our hearts, reminding us who we are in Christ and the purpose for which we overcome the world through patience. "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith" (1 John 5:4). Because simply stated, the coming of the Lord is at hand and we will give an account to God for decisions we've made this side of heaven.
Thursday, November 5, 2015
James 5:1-6 (Commentary)
"Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you."
The topic of wealth in Scripture is frequently referenced in context of money and materialism through man's selfishness, covetousness, jealousy and envy. It is emphasized as a battle between good and evil, where our desire for comfort is magnified by how willing we are to give freely of our bountiful resources. It is convicting in whether we realize that what we have is not the work of our own hands, talents, abilities or successes, but only by the grace of God. It is elaborated upon by Jesus as an eternal discernment of what we constitute as our treasure. And it is revealing of our heart's posture as to whether we believe God at His Word by trusting in His provision over selfish gain. Make no mistake, this is a message directed not merely to the wealthy landowners of James' day who sought selfish gain no matter the cost and detriment to others along the way. This message is intended for us as well, because we have become lackadaisical and forgetful of how Scripture calls us to live as a faith community.
It is imperative we comprehend why James spent six verses unpacking this issue. At that time, class separation was prevalent and severe. Segregation existed economically in monetary wealth, religiously between Jews and Gentiles, and politically among people of various nationalities and ethnicity. Therefore, when James spoke of the rich, there was little confusion as to whom he was addressing or why he relayed God's prophetic message of judgment to those who achieved monetary wealth through questionable means and practices. Due to the intensity of James' proclamation, it is safe to assume that how the rich achieved their wealth was evident to all and worthy of severe judgment by God. The greater issue James seeks to convey though is how monetary wealth twists our hearts into a funnel of selfish comfort rather than a fountain of opportunity to bless others. Money has the power to enslave a man who trusts in the pleasures of this world over the provision of God, because it tempts us to see money as compensation for what we have accomplished in and of ourselves. We lose sight that everything we have, even the air we breathe that allows us to live each day, is a gift from God that He has the power to give or take away.
The beauty of Scripture is that God gives us examples of sin and righteousness as it relates to our perspective on money. For example, "There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil" (Job 1:1). Job had immense wealth in his day and was tested by Satan (with the Lord's consent) through means of catastrophically destroying all his earthly possessions and children. Such calamity would surely cause Job to curse God, Satan proposed, because man will self-protect before he trusts in the sovereignty of God when all he has is taken from him. But Scripture cites a different response: "Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, 'Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.' In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong" (Job 1:20-22). What we witness by Job's example is that our wealth is NOT a result of ourselves, but is graciously given by God and taken away if He so chooses. Yet the truth remains that we struggle mightily with understanding how we could possibly praise and worship God when all we materialistically have is stripped away, leaving us with nothing. Logically-speaking, it does not add up. How can we be better off and God be glorified when devastation comes and takes all we have?
Jesus provides clarity in the face of such questions and uncertainty in these matters. "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:19-21). If we trust in earthly treasures, we lose sight of the priceless value of spiritual contentment found only in the grace and mercy of God. Such peace is unparalleled, for it is not defined by monetary value. "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it" (Matthew 13:44-46). Therefore, let us recognize that if we measure wealth according to this world, we will not comprehend the invaluable wisdom of Scripture and sovereignty of God that transcends all understanding, especially when it does not logically make sense to us. Rather, let us learn from Job's example and abandon our worldly perspective of wealth with true, righteous behavior that is refined by the fiery trials of life and revealed by our trust in God's sovereignty and provision.
Conversely, Scripture provides powerful examples where selfish gain and monetary wealth draws our hearts away from God through self-inflicted judgment. "But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, 'Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God'" (Acts 5:1-4). This example comes in the midst of the church's beginning, where thousands were coming to faith in Jesus Christ and the apostles were teaching and creating a new community of faith where wealth was communally shared among all those who had need. Yet even in the midst of the church itself, selfishness can corrupt and undermine the power of the Holy Spirit working in the lives of those who profess faith in Jesus. Ananias and Sapphira sought to obey the apostles' teaching by giving of their resources. In truth, their gift had immense monetary value and superficially manipulated others to believe they were holy and righteous, yet God not only called out their selfishness even in the midst of their tithe, but cast immediate judgment on them based on the condition of their hearts. Their greed, coupled with a lack of trust in God's provision, caused them to self-protect; and in the end, cost them their lives.
According to Jesus, "No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money" (Luke 16:13). The issue here is not money itself, but the condition of our hearts toward God. Money is simply a means of God's provision to meet our primary needs of food, water, shelter and clothing. It's primary purpose is not to pad our discretionary spending in order to perpetuate laziness in us (Luke 12:13-21), but an opportunity to share the bounty of God's blessing with others. Bottom-line: If our allegiance to God is universal in our lives, then our possessions are not of little concern to us, but NO concern to us. Anxiety is nothing more than a wedge Satan uses to separate our fellowship with God and drive our focus on self-sufficiency, but Jesus reminds us by saying, "Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" (Matthew 6:26). God always has our best interest in mind. Therefore, our focus must shift from monetary wealth to spiritual wealth that stands the test of time and does not fade away.
Possessing monetary wealth is not sinful in any way, unless inappropriate means were used to gain such wealth as James pointedly addresses. It is a discretionary decision of God's alone to deem one person economically wealthy versus another. What is universal though is the opportunity for spiritual wealth that is immeasurable and readily available to every man, woman and child who accepts God's free gift of salvation. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). God does not hold back his bounty of spiritual blessing and wisdom, but we must be clear we are not intermixing false prosperity doctrine in our hearts and churches which elevates monetary wealth as the spiritual thermometer of faithfulness and righteous living. Such theology is as anti-Biblical as any in the church today. Contrary to many false teachers, God's mission is not to make us healthy and wealthy. We are promised no such thing in the pages of Scripture. Rather, Scripture is rich with clarity and perspective regarding what the Father's will truly is (i.e. the Gospel of John), and that is eternal life for those of us who accept the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ as payment for our sins.
But that decision also comes with an acknowledgment of the cost associated with identity in Christ. "Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours" (John 15:20). Those who accept Christ as Lord and Savior can be sure that trial, adversity and persecution will come (which contradicts prosperity doctrine), because Jesus endured them for who He was and promised the same treatment for His followers. But in the end, love has the power to break strongholds as we personally let go of what the world deems as treasure; not being enslaved by monetary wealth but using it as a means to spread the Gospel of salvation throughout the world despite opposition. The key is surrender at the deepest heart level. And the quicker we sift our lives of the false doctrine of prosperity and realize that wealth is meaningless in the sight of God, we will free ourselves from spiritual bondage and begin serving God with fresh perspective and giving hearts.
King Solomon wrote, "He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity" (Ecclesiastes 5:10), because riches apart from God only bring calamity and judgment. James emphasized that point with great passion, in order that we recognize our heart's allegiance to either God or money. We cannot continue to be enslaved by the pleasures of this world which drive our insatiable appetite for wealth. Rather, we must be wise and prioritize provisional protection for our families above all else, but the manner in which we earn our living and the drive for power, status and success cannot undermine that priority. "But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever" (1 Timothy 5:8). Bottom-line, when we pass from this earth and stand before the judgment seat, will God sift our hearts and find open hands or clenched fists? Will our lives be identified by selfish gain or spiritual prosperity? Will we be judged as givers or takers? For how we live this side of heaven will identify what level of stronghold we have made in our hearts regarding monetary wealth. Therefore, "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you'" (Hebrews 13:5).
The topic of wealth in Scripture is frequently referenced in context of money and materialism through man's selfishness, covetousness, jealousy and envy. It is emphasized as a battle between good and evil, where our desire for comfort is magnified by how willing we are to give freely of our bountiful resources. It is convicting in whether we realize that what we have is not the work of our own hands, talents, abilities or successes, but only by the grace of God. It is elaborated upon by Jesus as an eternal discernment of what we constitute as our treasure. And it is revealing of our heart's posture as to whether we believe God at His Word by trusting in His provision over selfish gain. Make no mistake, this is a message directed not merely to the wealthy landowners of James' day who sought selfish gain no matter the cost and detriment to others along the way. This message is intended for us as well, because we have become lackadaisical and forgetful of how Scripture calls us to live as a faith community.
It is imperative we comprehend why James spent six verses unpacking this issue. At that time, class separation was prevalent and severe. Segregation existed economically in monetary wealth, religiously between Jews and Gentiles, and politically among people of various nationalities and ethnicity. Therefore, when James spoke of the rich, there was little confusion as to whom he was addressing or why he relayed God's prophetic message of judgment to those who achieved monetary wealth through questionable means and practices. Due to the intensity of James' proclamation, it is safe to assume that how the rich achieved their wealth was evident to all and worthy of severe judgment by God. The greater issue James seeks to convey though is how monetary wealth twists our hearts into a funnel of selfish comfort rather than a fountain of opportunity to bless others. Money has the power to enslave a man who trusts in the pleasures of this world over the provision of God, because it tempts us to see money as compensation for what we have accomplished in and of ourselves. We lose sight that everything we have, even the air we breathe that allows us to live each day, is a gift from God that He has the power to give or take away.
The beauty of Scripture is that God gives us examples of sin and righteousness as it relates to our perspective on money. For example, "There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil" (Job 1:1). Job had immense wealth in his day and was tested by Satan (with the Lord's consent) through means of catastrophically destroying all his earthly possessions and children. Such calamity would surely cause Job to curse God, Satan proposed, because man will self-protect before he trusts in the sovereignty of God when all he has is taken from him. But Scripture cites a different response: "Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, 'Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.' In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong" (Job 1:20-22). What we witness by Job's example is that our wealth is NOT a result of ourselves, but is graciously given by God and taken away if He so chooses. Yet the truth remains that we struggle mightily with understanding how we could possibly praise and worship God when all we materialistically have is stripped away, leaving us with nothing. Logically-speaking, it does not add up. How can we be better off and God be glorified when devastation comes and takes all we have?
Jesus provides clarity in the face of such questions and uncertainty in these matters. "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:19-21). If we trust in earthly treasures, we lose sight of the priceless value of spiritual contentment found only in the grace and mercy of God. Such peace is unparalleled, for it is not defined by monetary value. "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it" (Matthew 13:44-46). Therefore, let us recognize that if we measure wealth according to this world, we will not comprehend the invaluable wisdom of Scripture and sovereignty of God that transcends all understanding, especially when it does not logically make sense to us. Rather, let us learn from Job's example and abandon our worldly perspective of wealth with true, righteous behavior that is refined by the fiery trials of life and revealed by our trust in God's sovereignty and provision.
Conversely, Scripture provides powerful examples where selfish gain and monetary wealth draws our hearts away from God through self-inflicted judgment. "But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, 'Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God'" (Acts 5:1-4). This example comes in the midst of the church's beginning, where thousands were coming to faith in Jesus Christ and the apostles were teaching and creating a new community of faith where wealth was communally shared among all those who had need. Yet even in the midst of the church itself, selfishness can corrupt and undermine the power of the Holy Spirit working in the lives of those who profess faith in Jesus. Ananias and Sapphira sought to obey the apostles' teaching by giving of their resources. In truth, their gift had immense monetary value and superficially manipulated others to believe they were holy and righteous, yet God not only called out their selfishness even in the midst of their tithe, but cast immediate judgment on them based on the condition of their hearts. Their greed, coupled with a lack of trust in God's provision, caused them to self-protect; and in the end, cost them their lives.
According to Jesus, "No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money" (Luke 16:13). The issue here is not money itself, but the condition of our hearts toward God. Money is simply a means of God's provision to meet our primary needs of food, water, shelter and clothing. It's primary purpose is not to pad our discretionary spending in order to perpetuate laziness in us (Luke 12:13-21), but an opportunity to share the bounty of God's blessing with others. Bottom-line: If our allegiance to God is universal in our lives, then our possessions are not of little concern to us, but NO concern to us. Anxiety is nothing more than a wedge Satan uses to separate our fellowship with God and drive our focus on self-sufficiency, but Jesus reminds us by saying, "Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" (Matthew 6:26). God always has our best interest in mind. Therefore, our focus must shift from monetary wealth to spiritual wealth that stands the test of time and does not fade away.
Possessing monetary wealth is not sinful in any way, unless inappropriate means were used to gain such wealth as James pointedly addresses. It is a discretionary decision of God's alone to deem one person economically wealthy versus another. What is universal though is the opportunity for spiritual wealth that is immeasurable and readily available to every man, woman and child who accepts God's free gift of salvation. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). God does not hold back his bounty of spiritual blessing and wisdom, but we must be clear we are not intermixing false prosperity doctrine in our hearts and churches which elevates monetary wealth as the spiritual thermometer of faithfulness and righteous living. Such theology is as anti-Biblical as any in the church today. Contrary to many false teachers, God's mission is not to make us healthy and wealthy. We are promised no such thing in the pages of Scripture. Rather, Scripture is rich with clarity and perspective regarding what the Father's will truly is (i.e. the Gospel of John), and that is eternal life for those of us who accept the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ as payment for our sins.
But that decision also comes with an acknowledgment of the cost associated with identity in Christ. "Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours" (John 15:20). Those who accept Christ as Lord and Savior can be sure that trial, adversity and persecution will come (which contradicts prosperity doctrine), because Jesus endured them for who He was and promised the same treatment for His followers. But in the end, love has the power to break strongholds as we personally let go of what the world deems as treasure; not being enslaved by monetary wealth but using it as a means to spread the Gospel of salvation throughout the world despite opposition. The key is surrender at the deepest heart level. And the quicker we sift our lives of the false doctrine of prosperity and realize that wealth is meaningless in the sight of God, we will free ourselves from spiritual bondage and begin serving God with fresh perspective and giving hearts.
King Solomon wrote, "He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity" (Ecclesiastes 5:10), because riches apart from God only bring calamity and judgment. James emphasized that point with great passion, in order that we recognize our heart's allegiance to either God or money. We cannot continue to be enslaved by the pleasures of this world which drive our insatiable appetite for wealth. Rather, we must be wise and prioritize provisional protection for our families above all else, but the manner in which we earn our living and the drive for power, status and success cannot undermine that priority. "But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever" (1 Timothy 5:8). Bottom-line, when we pass from this earth and stand before the judgment seat, will God sift our hearts and find open hands or clenched fists? Will our lives be identified by selfish gain or spiritual prosperity? Will we be judged as givers or takers? For how we live this side of heaven will identify what level of stronghold we have made in our hearts regarding monetary wealth. Therefore, "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you'" (Hebrews 13:5).
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