Day #4
James 1:9-11 MSG “When down-and-outers get a break, cheer! And when the arrogant rich are brought down to size, cheer! Prosperity is as short-lived as a wildflower, so don’t ever count on it. You know that as soon as the sun rises, pouring down its scorching heat, the flower withers. Its petals wilt and, before you know it, that beautiful face is a barren stem. Well, that’s a picture of the “prosperous life.” At the very moment everyone is looking on in admiration, it fades away to nothing.”
If you have ever wondered what James’ thoughts on prosperity are…you don’t anymore. Which stands to reason: why do we spend so much of our life in exchange for the very things the Bible teaches us will not last? What if we placed as much effort in laying up heavenly treasures as we do working for earthly gain. After all, this world is not our home and the very best things in life, can’t be bought at all. As we grow and mature, prayerfully we learn to treasure the things that count. Salvation, family, friends, freedom, health, peace of mind, joy, and togetherness, to name a few. I love the quote “what if you woke up today with the things you thanked God for yesterday.” Today, let’s take inventory of our lives and see how truly blessed we are. Let’s place ourselves in the posture of gratitude and give thanks for our blessings, both big and small.
Consecration: Consumerism
Say these three words, “I have enough!” If you decided which pair of shoes to wear this morning, then chances are you can consecrate that visit to the mall or amazon prime for that matter. Don’t overbuy, overspend, or overextend yourself in exchange for things. And please, whatever you do, don’t be a person who is impressed by earthly possessions. That’s what James is telling us. If you want to invest in something today, let it be in what will last. Have a fasted dinner with your family and spend time talking around the table, call a loved-one or friend on the phone and catch up, write in a journal about things your grateful for, clean out your over-crowded closet and donate it to someone in need, read a book, do something kind for a neighbor, spend time in the Word of God and sharing it with someone who could use some good news. It will last so much longer than that “thing” you wanted to buy and you will be all the richer for it.