James the Just Part 4
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Less is More
Less is More
9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
*open prayer*
Here James introduces and interesting cardinal teaching of the Gospel.
In essence, he is saying lift up the poor believers now, require the rich believers to humble themselves.
James is telling us not to get caught up in the prideful affluence of the world.
Affluence- a state of having a great deal of money; wealth
James is talking about the difference between being socially wealthy and being spiritually wealthy.
Often it is difficult for socially wealthy people to become spiritually wealthy.
Not that it is a sin to be socially wealthy, but that shouldn’t be our primary goal.
We should strive to be spiritually rich in God’s mercies.
One commentator said this;
“Their poverty, then, had turned into a double benefit, for it encouraged the humility and faith God require”
As much as it is appropriate for the lowly to rejoice when they are lifted up by God, so it is appropriate, but more difficult, for the rich to rejoice when they are humbled by trials in their lives.
James is basically reminding us that you may obtain all the wealth in the world, but you can’t take it with you when you go. When this life is over, your worldly riches will not follow you in death.
Lets look at this point again in verses 10 and 11.
10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. 11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
If we make our life and identity about things that fade away, we will fade away also. Like a beautiful flower, here today, gone tomorrow.
Check out this commentary… (NAC)
James ((2) The Reduction of the Rich (1:10–11))
The faith of a rich man must be expressed in a radically different way from that of the poor man. Because the life of the rich is so radically different, they must exercise self-abasement. This self-denial of the rich believer is their way to participate in the total trust required by God. There is, otherwise, no room for the faithless influence of the rich in the church (Isa 53:8; Acts 8:33).
Simply put, we need to make sure we are cautious we do not get caught up in setting up our treasures in the world.
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Again, possessing worldly riches is not a sin in of itself.
Have you ever heard the quote “money is the root of all evil”?
Often the claim is that is from the bible.
I’d like to think most of us students of the Bible know that is not at all what scripture says.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
It is the love of money, not the possession of it.
James is simply pointing out that money can easily change a person.
Many people think that money will solve all of their problems, but even if they do get it, they are robbing themselves of greater blessings from God.
This is the same concept Jesus spoke of.
25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Money is needed to support many ministries of the church today...
We had a meeting yesterday with one of our missionaries, Cyrus and Julie Mad-Bondo.
She reported they are collected undergarments for kids in Central African Republic.
People their are so hungry for the Word of God, it has almost become a “religious vacuum” for different groups trying to reach them.
Our missionaries have their work cut out for them. But as they pursue opportunities to preach the Gospel, wouldn’t it be great to get some clothes on these little kids.
I don’t have any shame in telling you if you want to learn more about what Julie’s Heart Cry does, go to
Julie's Heart Cry (juliesheartcry.org)
If you want to donate directly to them, just hit the donate tab at the top right corner.
It of course costs money to send missionaries like Cyrus and Julie, it cost money to build churches and schools, and send food, clothes, medical supplies, and so much more.
But all that is just another opportunity to preach the Gospel!
When it comes to supporting missioniaries, we cannot spend enough time praying for them.
We cannot spend enough money supporting them.
We cannot thank God enough for men and women who still choose to leave the comforts of their home to go, seek opportunities to preach the Gospel, and further the advancing of God’s kingdom, to the farthest corners of the world.
It breaks my heart to see Church’s today get so caught up and greedy with money, the first thing they often cut when times get hard is the missions program.
Missions should be the one item in the budget that we say will not cut!
I am a believer that if the Church takes care of missions, God will take care of the Church.
There is nothing wrong with having money or raising money, the challenge is when we begin to love money.
It is harder for the rich to humble themselves before the Lord.
Unfortunately greed has been the demise of many once great churches and ministries.
Sometimes having less money, means we rely more on God.
In this sense, less really is more.
One thing as Christians we need to watch out for, is love of money over love of God.
-Lord help us to always put you first!
Close