How to be Real about Posessions

James 1:9–11 NLT

9 Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. 10 And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. 11 The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.

James 1:9-11

James 1:9–11 NLT

9 Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. 10 And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. 11 The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.

James 1:9-11

How to be Real about Possessions

Introduction:

How to be Real about Possessions

You and I live in a world that is full of automation. Telephones are answered by computerized voices that put us through an endless sequence of voicemail messages. Pictures that are shared on the Internet, television, or other media sources are often photoshopped. Instant foods are often filled with artificial fillers. People often portray themselves to be something that they are not. The artificial and the automated have become the norm.

Dr. George Bannister / General

In contrast with the world around us, that is so full of the artificial and the automated, God desires for His children to be real, to be genuine. The Lord desires for his children to present an accurate picture to the world of his amazing, transforming power. The word of God contains all of the instruction that you and I need in order to live out genuinely transformed lives.

How to be Real in an Automated World / Attitudes; Riches; Poor /

The book of James challenges you and I to be real in our Christian walk, In the midst of a world that is often anything but genuine.

How to be Real about Possessions

NLT

In our text, the Lord pinpoints an area that tends to generate attitudes that are quite contrary to the gospel of Christ. The subject that he deals with in is living out genuine Christian attitudes in relation to physical possessions and social standings.

9 Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. 10 And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. 11 The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.

Introduction:

T.S.: James articulate some specific adjustments that you and I need to make in order to reflect the genuine transformation of the gospel in our attitudes toward our personal possessions and social positions.

You and I live in a world that is full of automation. Telephones are answered by computerized voices that put us through an endless sequence of voicemail messages. Pictures that are shared on the Internet, television, or other media sources are often photoshopped. Instant foods are often filled with artificial fillers. People often portray themselves to be something that they are not. The artificial and the automated have become the norm.

In contrast with the world around us, that is so full of the artificial and the automated, God desires for His children to be real, to be genuine. The Lord desires for his children to present an accurate picture to the world of his amazing, transforming power. The word of God contains all of the instruction that you and I need in order to live out genuinely transformed lives.

A- A self focus is always unproductive.

1- Whatever our position in life is, focusing on it is spiritually destructive.

a. James points out that poor believers and rich believers are on level ground before God.

1) The poor believer has nothing to be jealous about – he has been honored by God with sonship.

a) ταπεινός= poor, of low social status.

ταπεινός

2) The rich believer has nothing to gloat about – his position before the father is the same as his poor brother.

B- The proper focus is always upon God and his grace.

The book of James challenges you and I to be real in our Christian walk, In the midst of a world that is often anything but genuine.

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 33.368 καυχάομαι; καύχημα, τος; καύχησις, εως; ἐγκαυχάομαι; αὐχέω

1 Cor 1:31

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1- The proper focus for the believer is always upon the Lord Jesus Christ.

a. There is no individual that is above the need for salvation, nor below the level that grace can reach.

2- The rich man has no advantage before God over his poor brother.

b. Having wealth and social standing may sometimes be a disadvantage, because it hinders us from seeing that we need a Savior or our fellow believers.

c. Those of us who lack wealth or social standing must avoid giving in feelings of unworthiness and inadequacy.

2- A clear focus on Jesus helps us to remain spiritually balanced.

a. The proper focus helps us to escape dependence upon self or upon worldly resources.

II- We need to adjust our values from the temporal to the eternal ().

In our text, the Lord pinpoints an area that tends to generate attitudes that are quite contrary to the gospel of Christ. The subject that he deals with in is living out genuine Christian attitudes in relation to physical possessions and social standings.

II- We need to adjust our values from the temporal to the eternal ().

b. The proper focus helps us to recognize a healthy dependence on God.

II- We need to adjust our values from the temporal to the eternal ().

A- We are to value what Christ has done for us, rather than value our own accomplishments.

T.S.: James articulate some specific adjustments that you and I need to make in order to reflect the genuine transformation of the gospel in our attitudes toward our personal possessions and social positions.

1-

B. We are to value Christ’s development of our character, rather than the pursuit of worldly ambitions that will leave us empty.

I- We need to adjust the focus of our lives from Self to the Savior ().

III- We need to adjust our goals from earthly to heavenly ().

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oII- We need to adjust our goals from earthly to heavenly ().

A- All earthly accomplishments are temporary and will ultimately be destroyed.

B- Only what is done for Jesus will last.

A- A self focus is always unproductive.

Conclusion:

1- Whatever our position in life is, focusing on it is spiritually destructive.

James points out that poor believers and rich believers are on level ground before God. The poor believer has nothing to be jealous about – he has been honored by God with sonship.

()9 Believers who are poor have

something to boast about, for God has honored

them.

ταπεινός= poor, of low social status.ὕψει αὐτοῦ= to cause someone to have high status—‘to give high position to, to exalt.

2) The rich believer has nothing to gloat about – his position before the father is the same as his poor brother.

a) πλούσιος= pertaining to being rich—‘rich, wealthy, well-to-do

b) ταπεινώσει= denotes “abasement, humiliation, low estate”

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God’s Discipline Proves His Love

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

B- The proper focus is always upon God and his grace.

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“31 Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to

boast, boast only about the Lord.”

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17 As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only

about the Lord.”

1- The proper focus for the believer is always upon the Lord Jesus Christ.

There is no individual that is above the need for salvation, nor below the level that grace can reach.

* Nicodemus ()

b. Having wealth and social standing may

sometimes be a disadvantage, because it hinders us from seeing that we need a Savior

or our fellow believers.

* Rich Young Ruler ()

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23 But when the man heard this he became sad, for he was very rich.

24 When Jesus saw this, he said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!

25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”

c. Those of us who lack wealth or social standing must avoid giving in feelings of unworthiness and inadequacy.

2- A clear focus on Jesus helps us to remain spiritually balanced.

a. The proper focus helps us to escape dependence upon self or upon worldly resources.

b. The proper focus helps us to recognize a healthy dependence on God.

()

1 This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord.

2 I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows.

3 Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know

4 that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.

5 That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses.

6 If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message,

7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.

8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.

9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

II- We need to adjust our values from the temporal to the eternal ().9 Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. 10 And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field.

A- We are to value what Christ has done for us, rather than value our own accomplishments.

1- The good in our lives comes from God’s work in and through us.

( )

17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

() “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”

a. Salvation is a gift from God.

() “8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

( (NLT) 4 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

B. We are to value Christ’s development of our character, rather than the pursuit of worldly ambitions that will leave us empty.

() “I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

1- Notice Paul’s prayer for and admonition to the Philippian believers:

a. He wanted them to know what really matters.

b. He emphasized the importance of their character

growth.

III- We need to adjust our goals from earthly to heavenly ().

A- All earthly accomplishments are temporary and will ultimately be destroyed.

1- We must keep our eyes upon the goal:

()12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

B- Only what is done for Jesus will last.

()31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. 32 “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. 33 “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. 34 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Conclusion:

Focusing on Time and Not Eternity

A very strange thing happens to people when they come into major wealth. They begin to think it will buy them anything—ANYTHING! That which the rich man thought his money had bought him—several years of taking it easy—was shortened to one night when the Lord came to him. He thought his money had provided him security for the future, but his life was required of him that very night. Instead of barns, he got a burial. Instead of a long life, he got a legacy of greed and covetousness. How foolish we are to think that money can buy anything we want! All that we have comes from God.

The question that was asked when he died is telling: “Whose will those things be … ?” Everything the rich man had would be left behind. He would not take one ounce of grain from his overstuffed barns with him through death’s door. We come into the world with nothing, and we leave with nothing. Solomon tells us that after we are gone, someone else will take over all that we have worked for, and we have no way of knowing how they will manage it (). It is vanity to think highly of ourselves and our material possessions. When we die, it is totally out of our hands. Understanding this is a way to avoid the coveting and hoarding mentality. There is great peace in trying to use what God provides for His glory and not living anxiously trying to keep and multiply every penny.

The rich man was living for the wrong world. He thought that the time he lived in was more important than eternity. This helps us understand why Jesus told this story to the man who was anxious about his inheritance. Jesus’ reply was this: “Your focus is on the wrong thing. It’s not wrong to have your inheritance, but if that’s your focus, you’re covetous and greedy. You could get it today and lose it—and your life—tomorrow.”

The Apostle Paul conveyed sound wisdom about money to Timothy—wisdom that should impact every believer (, ). Sometimes Christians read Paul’s words and think they don’t apply to them because they are addressed to the “rich in this present age.” The majority of Christians today are rich by the standards Paul was using. We have disposable income about which we must make decisions. And Paul’s instructions to Timothy will help us avoid the pitfalls of covetousness. What did Paul say to his young protégé? He said, “Here’s how you stay out of trouble: While God has blessed you with these good things, don’t forget to be rich also in good works. Don’t forget to be always willing to give, ready to distribute. Don’t get caught up in a narrow focus of amassing material things. Make sure your life maintains the breadth and the width it ought to have as you minister.”

If Christians would focus on being rich in good works, they would avoid the snare of covetousness. Many believers get so caught up in amassing material goods—sometimes even ostensibly to be able to give more—that they have no time for serving the Lord, for being rich in good works. These words that Paul used to describe materialism offer a sober warning: Temptation, snare, foolish and hurtful lusts, destruction, perdition, evil, error, many sorrows. Paul says the one thing that can steal your soul right away from God is for you to get caught up in what the world thinks is important: The amount of goods you have accumulated. If you allow yourself to get into that mind-set, you will go into heaven as a Christian with nothing to lay at the feet of the Master except a wasted life