Plan Info

Morning Coffee With JamesSample

DAY 8 OF 8

What's in Your Wallet?

Read James 1:11

God's Word to Them...

The financial loss that many of these new Christians were facing was just one more source of stress for them. Not only were they persecuted, often thrown in prison, often disowned by their families, but now they were dirt poor. James reminded his readers that the eternal benefits gained by their decisions to follow Christ far outweighed any financial loss they may have suffered, for earthly riches are temporary.

God's Word to Us...

Let’s face it. Most of us would like to be rich. After all, who wouldn’t want to live in a great house, drive a fancy car, wear designer clothes? Who wouldn’t want to be free from financial worries? But ask any rich man or woman—the financial stress of being rich can be overwhelming. He or she works and works, knowing that at any moment it could all be taken away.

No matter the size of our bank accounts, we will all die. We will all face God, and we cannot take our wallets with us when we do. The rich man who toils his life away to hang onto and add to his financial wealth will find himself impoverished as he stands before his Maker. The only wealth that will travel with us is that which we have deposited into our heavenly bank accounts—earned through a life of obedience to God.

Cream and Sugar...

If money were no object, what would you buy? Do you think the joy of having that item would fade over time?

Dear Father, thank You for meeting all of my needs. Please help me to avoid the trap of focusing on earthly wealth. Help me to build my heavenly bank account by living a life that is pleasing to You. Amen.

The Last Drop...

“Money really adds no more to the wise than clothes can to the beautiful.” —JEWISH PROVERB

For more of Renee Brumbaugh Green's coffee devotions, visit broadstreetpublishing.com/latte-life-free-preview and download a free preview of Latte for Life: 45 Devotions from the book of Ruth.

Scripture

James 1:11

Psalm 102:11

Ecclesiastes 5:10

Day 7

About this Plan

As the half brother of Jesus, James knew a side of our Lord that few others did. He ate with Him, slept with Him, played brotherly pranks. He worked alongside Jesus in the carpenter’s shop. He loved his brother. But as is the case in so many families, James was too close to his brother to recognize Him as special. I can only imagine the confusion and embarrassment James felt when his big brother told people He was the Messiah! I can only imagine the shame James carried when his big brother was executed like a common criminal. Then, after Jesus was dead and buried, James saw Him. His brother, whom he loved, stood right before his eyes! James lived out the remainder of his days building the church. We never hear James boasting about his relationship with Jesus. Instead, he refers to himself as Jesus’ servant. He calls his fellow Christians “brothers.” The book of James doesn’t tell us how to become a Christian. Instead, it is a practical how-to guide for Christian living. He tells us to persevere, to stand firm in our faith. He tells us to stop talking about our faith and start living it. He tells us to treat everyone equally and to stop playing favorites, to control our tongues, to seek God for all of life’s answers. James is a no-nonsense kind of guy. So pour yourself a cup of coffee and flavor it just right. Then, sit back and get ready to learn timeless lessons from James 1, the brother of our Lord.

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