November 8, 2010, James 5

Key Verse:

This treasure you have accumulated will stand as evidence against you on the day of judgment.
(James 5: 3)

Central Truth:

If worldly treasures are at the top of your important list, you are missing the point. God says they will burn like stubble in hay.


Where's your treasure?


The book of James, although short, is fantastic for teaching principals that Christians should live by. James gives a warning to the rich in chapter 5. "Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes." (James 5:2) I work in commercial real estate, and I see all kinds of real estate developers who have lots of money. It's easy to get caught up in the desire to make lots of money, to have nice things, and to be able to "do whatever you want to do financially." I'll admit, I want to make lots of money and I want to have and be able to do things. Is that wrong? James warns the rich that their money will rot, their silver will corrode. OR DOES HE???


What James proclaims is the worthlessness of riches, not the worthlessness of the rich. The money we have today will mean nothing when Christ comes back; so we should spend our time accumulating those types of riches that will be worth something in Heaven. Money, though, is not the problem. Piedmont needs money (your tithe money) to provide salaries for staff and to do our work effectively as a church. It is the LOVE of money that leads to evil. (1 Timothy 6:10). James uses these few verses to warn Christians who are tempted to adopt worldly standards rather than God's standards.

I believe God wants us to be successful in our jobs. God wants us to make money to tithe and give back to His church. He wants us to be successful and provide for our families, but at the same time, He does not want us to allow money to become more important to us than HIM. Remember He allowed you to make it; He can take it away from you real quick.

What drives your heart? A relationship with Jesus, an awesome church where you worship, a loving family, striving to be a Godly man or woman, . . . or, earthly treasures and things that James tells us will burn ? "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21)