“Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.” James 5:1
This devotion takes a look at a section in the book of James where he speaks some hard words to hardhearted people. (Think Jesus vs. the Pharisees.)
James’ target audience for these next few verses in chapter 5 is the rich. Now, of course, not all rich people are bad. (Most of those reading this devotional would be considered quite rich by the standards of the rest of world. Did you know that if you simply own a pair of shoes, you are significantly more wealthy than most of the world? We have much to be thankful for.) But sometimes, people who are rich—like us—can get very prideful.
We know that James had been speaking quite a bit about pride to his audience, and now he turns to speak about how loving money can lead us to think that we are quite self-sufficient. This is pure pride.
The Bible has many warnings about how loving money can corrupt our hearts. This is James’ main point here. He is warning the rich and arrogant in his community to repent or else suffer the consequences. Those who puff themselves up with pride in their wealth will find it all gone one day, and then what? If they placed their trust in money and not Jesus, everything they trusted will be gone, along with Jesus. This is the miserable end that will come to those who trade God for money.
Read
“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
- What is the “great gain” of these verses?
- How can you stir up contentment for what God has provided?
- How can you fight against the desire to be rich? (Or richer than you already are?)
Pray
Father, guard us from the destruction that can come from the love of money. May we love you more than our money. Help us destroy this idol that is constantly tempting us in our culture today. May we see your kingdom as having far more worth. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
This devotion is adapted from the James Study Guide. Pick up a copy today for only $9.99. The Study Guide includes a 15-week curriculum, a small group study, a group inductive study, as well as 75 daily devotions for your personal or family worship.
