James: Wisdom for Practical LifeSample

Warning Against Oppression 

The Bible is not against the rich or those with means. 1 Timothy 6:10 says the love of money is the root of all evil. Money is not the issue but our heart that uses money to promote ourselves and oppress others is the issue. The Bible warns us against this heart posture which results in selfishness. 

How do I know if I have this attitude? How I use my money and how I treat others reveals my heart. Everything we have is a gift from God. It is because of His grace and divine providence. How we look at our possessions and money influences how we live. 

If you understand everything is a gift from God, it results in being generous, sacrificial, content and being a good steward. On the other hand, if you think you have earned what you have, if you view that what you have is because of your hard work and achievement, then you become ruthless with money (v.4). In our culture we see people hold out on payments for workers, be stingy with their tips, be calculating with change when dealing with the poor, not sharing resources and under paying people. 

They are not only stingy but self-indulgent with their money. They don’t mind spending on themselves, on clothes, gadgets, expensive vacations and dinners. If you think your money belongs to you, then what stops you from spending it on yourself? You deserve every bit of it. 

What is your attitude with regard to your money and possessions? Are you investing in things that corrode and rot, or are you investing in eternal riches? 

There awaits an imperishable reward (1 Cor 9:25), a crown (1 Thes 2:19, 2 Tim 4:8, 1 Pet 5:4) when Christ returns for those who belong to him. The rewards we work for in this world using our strength are no match for the eternal glorious reward that Christ gives. How is it possible to access this imperishable reward? There is no way we can work and earn this reward. This reward is earned by the perfect life of Jesus and His perfect sacrifice on the cross. And this is for those who put their faith in Christ as the One who rewards them instead of seeking their own trophies in this world.