SHARING OUR GOD GIVEN RESOURCES
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. Your gold and silver are corroded. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This corroded treasure you have hoarded will testify against you on the day of judgment. For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter. You have condemned and killed innocent people, who do not resist you.
James 5:1-6 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
James uses hyperbole to communicate the seriousness of greed as well as putting our trust in money. Hyperbole is a form of exaggeration used to make a point. Jesus used it when He said if your eye offends you pluck it out. I don’t think Jesus meant for us to be poking out our eyes. He was using hyperbole to point out that sin causes damage to our lives.
James is outraged at the social injustice of the rich mistreating and profiting off the poor. He wants those who are followers of Christ to stop hoarding the resources God has given them and begin to use these resources to benefit not just ourselves but others as well.
I believe God gives us resources to enjoy but also to share. We have a responsibility to share with others from the resource of time, talent, and treasure that God has given to us. This is contrary to most in our culture. The mantra of many in our world is “get all you can, can all you get, and hide the can.”
As followers of Christ we are to give generously to those in need. We are to see the resources God has entrusted to us as tools to advance His kingdom. That doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy some of the resources God has given us. God gives us good things to enjoy. But He also expects us to share that enjoyment with others.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit show me how I can be blessing to my world through what You have given me. You are my Provider and I want to honor You with everything I have.