Now Listen

February 28|Make it Real Series

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TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. James 5:1-3

Read: James 5:1-3
Listen: James 5

TODAY’S MESSAGE

James rebukes his rich audience harshly. The problem isn’t that these individuals are wealthy. The problem is that these rich landowners hoard their wealth and live in self-indulgence while the harvesters entrusted to their care go unpaid or underpaid for their services. These individuals lost sight of the things that matter most (such as love for God and love for people) and put their hope in money and possessions. James sternly warns them, however, that their wealth is corroding, and will ultimately be a testimony to their selfish lifestyle.

We are not to put our hope in money or possessions. Instead, we put our hope in God. Paul charged Timothy, “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (1 Timothy 6:17). Money, possessions, and worldly comforts always fail to satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts. A promotion, vacation, house, or retirement account are all blessings that should be received with thanksgiving. But they are not worthy of our hearts’ hope, trust or confidence. Only God is worthy of such devotion.

TODAY: Memorize 1 Timothy 6:17. Post it where you’ll see it often and remember the bigness and goodness of God and the deceptiveness of wealth. Ask God to help you remember that he is the one who can satisfy your heart’s deepest longings.