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Genuine Gifts (III). Withering Wealth James 1:9-11. Many cannot handle riches… or poverty. Wonderful woes James 1:1-4. Winning wisdom James 1:5-8. Withering wealth James 1:9-11. King Midas. Characters, 9-11. Poor brother, 9. 1. Lowly (of low social status) 1 Sm.18:…23. Mt.11:29.
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Genuine Gifts (III) Withering Wealth James 1:9-11
Many cannot handle riches…or poverty Wonderful woes James 1:1-4 Winning wisdom James 1:5-8 Withering wealth James 1:9-11 • King Midas
Poor brother, 9 1. Lowly (of low social status) 1 Sm.18:…23. Mt.11:29 • Two facts • Lowly can rejoice in adversity. Ps.73 • Never based on self, 1 Co.4:7; Ja.4:16 2. Boast! Based on relation w. God. 1 Co.1:31; 2 Co.9:2; 2 Th.1:4
Rich brother (?) 10 • Boasts in his Christ? …humiliation?? Rich unbeliever (?) 10 a. Irony? Boast in low position... b. Conversion? Lk.19:1-10
Characters, 9-11 II. Clarification, 10-11
The rich • Pass away like a flower. (Isa.40:6-8; Mt.6:30) Lk.12; 16 • Can rejoice in trials because they teach him – • Life is short • His business / money will fail • He can learn to trust Lord, not self or money
Characters, 9-11 II. Clarification, 10-11 III. Caution, 9-11
1. Do not let money earn your trust 5-8, get gain vs great gain (godliness): contentment Mk.4:19. 1 Tim.6 – 9-10, desire / love of moneyvs harm and eternal loss 17-19, standards: humility,true trust, sharing, concern
1. Do not let money earn your trust2. Do not let money turn your head, Ac.24 • Temporary, Ja.1:10-11 (1 Pt.1:4) • Tempting (distracting), Ph.4:11-12 (3:13) • Thief, Mt.6:19-21 Possess us. House; yard; car… Do not satisfy. Eccl. Toys; music; shoes Do not last. Computer; car… Endanger the soul.
Richescause blindness ▪ Jn.2:14-15, blind to relation w God, other Jews, even Gentiles ▪ Jn.12:…6, distorted Judas’ view of Jesus, Mary, other disciples, destiny ▪ Ja.2:1-4, Christians also (5,6-7,9-11) ▪ Ja.4:13-17, obsessed w. making a living ▪ Ja.5:1-6, more than bargained for
More than bargained for (Ja.5:1-6) What money will do, 1-2 Indictment, 3 How they used it (4-6) Why? Verse 6 ▪ Weeping comes, 1 ▪ Wealth goes, 2-3a ▪ Witness (1): waste, 3b ▪ Woe,3c ▪ Witness (2): workers, 4 ▪ Wrath, 5
Characters, 9-11 II. Clarification, 10-11 III. Caution, 9-11 IV. Change, 9-11
Why the warning (Ja.1:9-11)? • Because it’s not too late to change. Lk.19 • Most think rich people are free of trials, troubles, lead carefree life… We can become content. Phil.4; 1 Tim.6; Hb.13:5-6
Why shouldn’t we be content? Love of God Sacrifice of Christ Divine mercy • Thanksgiving. Lk.17:…15 • Humility. Lk.18:9-14 • Service. Lk.23:50-56 Inspired guidance / instructions Proper reaction?