FRIDAY August 7, 2026
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
God has blessed those who are rich. The Bible never condemns a rich person, but they do have to give an account of their stewardship to God. The Word of God only condemns the rich when they greedily store up wealth for their own pleasures and luxuries.
Instead of using their wealth to promote the Kingdom of God, they use it for themselves to build their own kingdoms. Selfishness and greed are obvious character flaws of the rich. People are aware of these flaws because they see how the rich flaunt their money and spend it frivolously, whereas the poor have to carefully watch over every penny.
The rich can easily abuse money. They become comfortable and complacent. If they mismanage their finances, even though wealthy, they can end up bankrupt. Why? They have misused their money. That said, we all need to be careful with how we manage our finances. God desires that we become good stewards of all He has blessed us with.
How many marriages have ended in divorce because of a spouse who has mismanaged money? Financial problems in a marriage are one of the top three reasons for divorce. It is sad, but it is true. I believe, whether married or single, God desires to do a new work in helping us to be better stewards of our finances.
Are you aware of the tremendous financial struggles people are enduring? How can we keep a single dime for ourselves while knowing that someone else is in need? As Christians, how can we say to others, “God bless you. The Lord be with you; go in peace,” without committing to helping them? Invest in the Kingdom of God, not in the temporal pleasures of living a life of luxury while remaining blind to the needs of others.
Money is never more wisely used than in forwarding the cause of God.
~George Barlow~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
