We have discussed favouritism from the book of James in our previous message. Today I would like to look at James 2:5-7 again.
“Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?”
In the light of this I would like us to see what Matthew 6:24 says: “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money (Mammon),” and then examine the reality of our hearts. Please look intently (as James put it) at this latter passage which is put quite uncompromisingly. We cannot love both God and money, or depend on both, or be controlled by both, or be cared for by both. If we love to be looked after by money, God will only be an object to us to use when we need Him. If we call on money to save us from trouble, to give us power, position or identity or to open doors for us, God will only be a pretence to us and often be in our way to accomplish what we desire.
This is what James referred to. The only way we can be rich towards the Lord is to be independent of money. I cannot but notice that faith in the poor countries, where people are dependent on the Lord, is much more active and powerful than in the rich and powerful countries. The Christians help one another, exercise their faith and gifts to make the Kingdom grow, and depend on the Lord for their daily needs. The rich rely on their personal resources to accomplish what they desire and usually rely on the world’s systems to get what they want.
To be rich towards God we do not need to be shabbily poor. Poor people can also be controlled by money in that they constantly desire it and gamble, beg and steal to obtain it. Being materially poor, but rich towards God requires of us to use what we have to look after our basic needs, whilst we bless the Kingdom of God and those in need with the remainder. It means that we do not spend excessive time making, guarding and enjoying our money, but use our time to serve the Lord and build His Kingdom – to first seek His Kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33).
Within the congregation we also need to develop spiritual eyes to see beyond the outer appearance. We need to become aware of the Kingdom way of doing things. In the world those who impress man get promoted. There are endless awards for those who look and act impressively. In God’s Kingdom those who impress God should be promoted, regardless of what they appear to be before man, and only the Lord can show us who they are and how they should be promoted. Promoting the person who can do the most for the finances of the church or who pays the biggest tithes could be considered as following Mammon’s (Money’s) direction. However, promoting for example the person who keeps evangelism, which is at the Lord’s heart, going or who makes every effort to equip the saints for the ministry, will please the Lord and then He will care for us. In this way we rely on the Lord and not on Mammon (money).
A poor congregation with equipped spiritual soldiers, all actively reaching out to their community in spite of hardship and persecution, will have a greater reward in heaven than the rich congregation who rested in their comfort, only worshipping the Lord conditionally whilst avoiding hardship and persecution.
Lord, please help me to see the reality of this difference.
Thank you Lord that your Word went out from your mouth, via your servant’s pen, and it will not return to you empty, but will accomplish what you desire and achieve the purpose for which you sent it.
Please pass this on if you think others may benefit by it.
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