WEDNESDAY January 29, 2020
Living in Luxury
You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you.
James 5:5-6
Understand, the Bible never condemns a rich person. So why should we condemn them? God has blessed those who are rich. It is to God they have to give an account of their stewardship. The Bible only condemns those who are rich when they store up wealth. Instead of using it for the kingdom of God, they use it for themselves––they have become greedy.
Selfishness and greed become obvious character flaws of the rich, to others. They see how the rich flaunt their money and spend it frivolously. The rich can easily abuse money. They can become comfortable and complacent. Look at the movie and rock stars who buy houses in every country. If they do not have good financial housekeeping management, they can get carried away with their spending. Some rich and famous people have ended up bankrupt. Why? They have misused their money.
We need to be careful of how we become stewards of what God has given to us individually. It is possible for marriages to end up in divorce because of mismanagement of money, leading to financial problems. It is sad––but it is true. God wants to do a new work in our lives and teach us to be better stewards.
Within this world, people struggle under the weight of their desperate needs. How can anyone keep a single dime for themselves, knowing that someone else is in need? How can we say to others, “God bless you. The Lord be with you; go in peace,” without committing themselves to helping them. Honestly, we need to invest in the kingdom of God.
Money is never more wisely used than in forwarding the cause of God.
~George Barlow~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!