Grow Where It Counts!

Here in this passage a man comes to Jesus with what he believed to be an act of injustice. His brother was withholding what legally belonged to him, which was his inheritance. However, Jesus responds to him in a way few would expect. Rather than act as mediator between this man and his brother, Jesus reminds the man that his real problem is actually spiritual and not financial. He discerns within the man a hint of covetousness. He goes on to tell a story (parable) of a man who had everything he could ever want naturally, but was in poverty spiritually.

Why do we seek natural prosperity but neglect to seek the prosperity of our soul? It seems we’re always looking for ways to grow and improve our financial situation (and even our physical situation in terms of our health), but we are not so eager to find new ways to improve and grow within our soul.

We spoke to you early in the year about the need for growth. In fact, we said to you that this was the year that God was going to cause the ground where we presently are to grow. In the past we have been quick to ditch our present location in search of greener pastures. We wouldn’t think twice about packing our bags and heading South (or West) in search of some new opportunity that might improve our financial situation. However, we believe the word came forth from God that He would make it so we could grow right here at home.

Some of us would find growth by simply building on opportunities we already have. Others would grow what they needed from scratch. Whichever way we took, the command was still, “Remain where you are or use what you have and grow it!”

As we progressed throughout the year we realized that this word to “grow” was not simply limited to our economical or financial situation. In fact, our financial growth would be equivalent to and the result of our spiritual growth.

What if our physical and financial well being directly reflected our spiritual well being? For example, what if we progressed physically to the same degree that we have progressed spiritually?

Notice that the Children of Isreal were forced to walk under the curse for as long as they had walked in disobedience! I don’t know if God’s judgment is always as severe as this, but we do know that God places a high value on growing spiritually. “What does it profit to gain the world and lose your soul?”

So, what does it take to grow or prosper in our soul?

BE A DOER OF THE WORD

Apparently, the same word that is the means of our spiritual life, is also the means of our spiritual growth (see ). We might say that the “mother” of the child is also its “nurse.” However, it must be the “sincere” milk of God’s word; that is, it must be pure and without mixture (not watered down).

Furthermore, in order to enjoy spiritual growth we not only need the right nourishment, we also need to put away all evil (). Before we can successfully grow as believers, we must "lay aside” (lit. take off your clothes) all evil doing and evil speaking (). Here James adds an additional requirement—we must be doers of the word. Unless we become doers of the word, our soul will not prosper (grow) from the word.

If you are not growing, then the first thing you want to check is whether or not you’re eating right or even eating at all! Some of us aren’t receiving the word (have no real desire for it) because we’ve got the wrong thing in our heart.

The next we have to check is whether or not the word we are receiving is producing the effect it’s intended to have. For this to occur we must put the word that we have received into practice. What are you doing with the word once you receive it?

Finally, what are you doing with the word once you receive it? In other words, are you putting it into practice?

Here’s an illustration from the Old Testament that I found:

Here God promises Israel that they would “prosper” IF they did not “forget” His commandments but “kept” them. The question is, “How do we keep from FORGETTING the commandments of God?” James tells us that a man who does not do the word is a FORGETFUL man ().

Therefore, if we want to “prosper” in our souls, then we must be a doer of the word!

BE PATIENT IN TRIBULATIONS

The word “possess” means to keep in possession (or save). It is the opposite of “losing” one’s soul.

The way we “possess” (or keep) our soul in sanctification is by remaining patient in tribulation (, ). The salvation of the soul can only be produced in tribulation or suffering (, , ).

We might even say that our soul is produced through tribulation or trials because patience is produced in trials (, , ; ). Therefore, as we remain patient in our trials our soul is saved (transformed). Trials work patience and patience brings the glory of the Lord (, ). Notice that the weight of our afflictions translates into (brings about) spiritual weight (glory) in our souls (, ). Peter is talking here about the process by which believers are “saved” ().

Being patient in our afflictions is how we keep our souls in sanctification ().

Trials work patience and patience brings the glory of God (; , ). Notice that the weight of our afflictions translates into spiritual weight or glory in our souls (, ).

By the way, the “glory” spoken of here is a reference to righteousness (). We all know that the righteousness of God is by (through) faith. However, we often forget that the faith that brings righteousness must be tried! How else can our faith be proven to be genuine unless it is put through a test.

This “glory” is a reference to the manifestation of God’s righteous character. Moreover, patience is the midst of tribulations plays a key role in producing the righteousness/glory of God ().

Everyone knows that the righteousness of God is received by (through) faith. However, we forget that the faith needed to bring righteousness must be tried! This is because righteousness is given to us as a gift (promise) from God. And the promises of God require patience ().