Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
From: The Life Application Study Bible
9 “Christians who are poor should be glad, for GOD has honored them. 10 And those who are rich should be glad, for GOD has humbled them. They will fade away like a flower in the field. 11 The hot sun rises and dries up the grass; the flower withers, and its beauty fades away. So also, wealthy people will fade away with all of their achievements.” ~ James 1:9-11
Christians who are not in high positions in this world should be glad, because they are great in the LORD’s eyes. Such people are often overlooked, even in our churches today, but they are not overlooked by GOD. The poor should be glad that riches mean nothing to GOD; otherwise these people would be considered unworthy. The rich should be glad that money means nothing to GOD because money is easily lost. We find true wealth by developing our spiritual life, not by developing our financial assets. GOD is interested in what is lasting – our souls – not in what is temporary – our money and possessions. – Jesus said: 18 “The thorny ground represents those who hear and accept the Good News, 19 but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares of this life, and the lure of wealth, and the desire for nice things, so no crop is produced.” – Mark 4:18-19 – Cares of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for nice things plagued first-century disciples as they do us today. How easy it is for our daily routines to become overcrowded. A life packed with materialistic pursuits deafens us to GOD’s Word. Stay free so you can hear GOD when HE speaks and always strive to treat each person, rich or poor, as Christ would treat him or her.
If wealth, power, and status mean nothing to GOD, why do we attribute so much importance to them and so much honor to those who possess them? Do your material possessions dictate your goals in life, and are they your only reason for living? If they were gone, what would be left? What you have in your heart, not your bank account, matters to GOD and endures for eternity.
LORD, we are busy people. Sometimes we are so busy we hardly notice that one day has turned into the next. Forgive us! Not only do we forget our days, we forget YOU – the one who matters most. Please, forgive us! As a new is just beginning and our already daily routines become even more crowded, help us slow down and hear YOUR voice. We pray this new year that our pursuits will be in line with what YOU have for us LORD. We know that we must stay in YOUR Word and be still long enough to hear YOU speak. Thank YOU for loving us enough to want to spend time with us, even though, with our busy schedules, we seem to forget YOU. YOU are truly good to us – we are blessed!
Photo: Estes Park (Colorado)
Photo By: Lisa K Gonzales
Click on the photo to enlarge
