Your heart
James the half brother of Jesus writes,
“The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position.
But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.
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 man will fade away even while he goes about his business.
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”James 1:9-12
Notice James reverses things when comparing the rich man to the poor man. In our secular society the one who is rich is quite often considered to have a high position. While the poor man has a low one. Not so with God.
A person of humble means needs to rely on God every day. They are drawn toward God to help them meet their daily needs. Not necessarily so with someone who is rich. They can rely on their riches. As a result they may not turn to God in the way a poor person does.
The apostle Paul warns,
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:10.
Notice Paul here states it is “the Love of money that is a root of all kinds of evil”. Having a lot of money is not sinful. It’s what we do to get that money, and how we use that money that can be sinful.
Money if we use it wrongly can pull us away from God.
Matthew’s gospel tells this story of a wealthy man that came to Jesus,
“Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.”
“Which ones?” the man inquired. Jesus replied, “ ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’’”
“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.” Matthew 19:16-22
In this case the rich man did not have complete faith in God. His riches it appears were more important than God.
The key here goes back to what Jesus said,
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21
Thus the question is. Where is your heart?
Please think about it.
James the half brother of Jesus writes,
“The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position.
But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.
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 man will fade away even while he goes about his business.
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”James 1:9-12
Notice James reverses things when comparing the rich man to the poor man. In our secular society the one who is rich is quite often considered to have a high position. While the poor man has a low one. Not so with God.
A person of humble means needs to rely on God every day. They are drawn toward God to help them meet their daily needs. Not necessarily so with someone who is rich. They can rely on their riches. As a result they may not turn to God in the way a poor person does.
The apostle Paul warns,
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:10.
Notice Paul here states it is “the Love of money that is a root of all kinds of evil”. Having a lot of money is not sinful. It’s what we do to get that money, and how we use that money that can be sinful.
Money if we use it wrongly can pull us away from God.
Matthew’s gospel tells this story of a wealthy man that came to Jesus,
“Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.”
“Which ones?” the man inquired. Jesus replied, “ ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’’”
“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.” Matthew 19:16-22
In this case the rich man did not have complete faith in God. His riches it appears were more important than God.
The key here goes back to what Jesus said,
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21
Thus the question is. Where is your heart?
Please think about it.
