Walk the Talk: A Men's Bible Study in JamesSample

Pay it Forward

In the 2000 film Pay it Forward, Kevin Spacey stars as a schoolteacher who challenges his pupils with an assignment of goodwill. Inspired by this assignment, a young boy comes up with an idea that changes many lives. He decides that instead of waiting for favors from others before returning it, he will pay it forward by doing good deeds for others first.

Maybe you’ve seen the film, or maybe you’ve heard the concept before. Either way, James is calling men to account for how they deal to others. At first glance, this Scripture might seem to classify all riches as evil. Yet, like his older brother Jesus, James is concerned with the hearts of men of God, rather than their status per se. Its about the heart of your riches. For where your heart is, there your treasure will also be.

James is calling men to account for their dealings considering eternity, as all of us will one day have to stand in front God’s judgment seat and give account for how we dealt with what was entrusted to us. This includes our time and treasures. In this chapter we are reminded that for the rich in this earthly life, it’s easy to lose sight of eternity since most things in this life for the rich comes easier. But that will also come to past. It’s easier to keep eternity in mind for those whose only reward lies beyond. But from those whose been blessed with much, much is also required…

If anything, this is not a call to voluntary poverty, but a call to hold eternal perspective and the patience that is needed for it. What we do in life echoes in eternity. So, what will you do with what’s been given to you in this life?

When it comes to life, making our payments can be approached in three ways, no matter our status:

1. Skip Payments. Like those who neglect their accounts and responsibilities, we can also skip payments in life. If we have people who work for us, or provide services for us, we can choose not to pay in full or reward them well. We can choose to cut corners by cutting others out, or even cutting them out, of their dues. Or, if we choose to, we can always take the easy way out. Who needs to endure if you can indulge, right? Wrong! That’s not the way of God.

2. Pay Your Dues. Put in the work, do what’s required of you, give when asked and pay your bills and your workers in full. In terms of time and patience, endure every season, while hoping and working for a better tomorrow. Don’t grumble and keep your head down, knowing that somewhere you will be rewarded also.

3. Pay it Forward. Keeping the humble and patient attitude of paying your dues, you can go further, walk the second mile, and do even greater. If you are blessed in this life with an abundance of treasure and talent, use it to also enrich the lives others. In doing this, you are paying it forward. By giving of your riches to enrich others, contributing your finances to God’s work and using your time with godly wisdom and patience, echoes to a greater eternal reward.

By paying it forward, you will be amazed by the fruit of your labor. Even in this life, and especially in the hereafter.

Reflect on the following…

1. What do you find challenging about this concept ‘paying it forward’?

2. How can you practically enrich the lives of both others and yourself by keeping an eternal perspective in your everyday life?

3. What do you specifically need prayer for today? Pray about it…