Miserable Riches

Background Scripture: James 4
Lesson Scripture: James 4:13-17; 5:1-7

Introduction

Being rich is defined as “having abundant possessions, especially material wealth” (Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary). No one naturally desires to be in want, and springing from this comes the corrupt desire for possessing. On the surface, being rich appears to be a blessing. However, the word miserable in the lesson title indicates riches may not be the asset they appear to be. Rather, they become a curse and a detriment to spiritual life, inducing many people to a state of wanton misery.

“There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches” (Prov. 13:7). We must honestly evaluate our goals and aims and what we are really seeking.

Key Verse

And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold (Luke 19:8).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

We know nothing of the Christians James refers to as the “twelve tribes scattered abroad” (James 1:1), but we can safely assume they shared the same passions and temptations as us. We all “have this treasure in earthen vessels” (2 Cor. 4:7). Our working lives are busy buying, selling, and getting gain, and whether we are employees or employers, the reason we work is to earn a living. When it becomes more than this, it is gain. With many around us being influenced by an increasingly materialistic world view, we are predisposed to try and make more than is strictly necessary. Instinctively we think that extra gain will bring greater enjoyment to life and enable us to buy the things that we think will make us happy. The devil manipulates these misconceptions to his full advantage, and most people find it difficult to fully recognize the ruse.

Earthly life is illustrated as a vapor. After a cup of hot coffee is poured, steam can be seen rising from the surface of the liquid. On a cold winter morning with a drink in hand, one may observe the steam rising several inches into the frosty air. However, steam simply does not linger very long even in that kind of air, very long. Life, in the light of eternity, is as uncertain as the brevity of rising steam. What drives a Christian to amass riches and wealth and to adopt the creed of accumulation? If it were true that the richer we were, the more likely it would be that we could make heaven one day, it would be understandable. However, Jesus infers that the opposite is true. “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 19:23).

A warning is also directed to those who, through shrewd and cunning means, have become wealthy. Tightfisted and stingy practices toward those who deserve honest compensation is condemned, and a Christian should not have reason to be charged with such. Our finances and the way we conduct business is not hidden from God. He is on the side of the oppressed, and his ears are attentive to the cries of the misused and mistreated. May we be keen to the Holy Spirit as He directs us in our finances.

Practical Truths for Today

This world’s wealth is not evenly distributed. One million dollars used to be considered great wealth in North America. Today, some see one million dollars as a mere starting point. In many other parts of the world, one thousand dollars is considered extensive wealth. Even the less well-to-do among the world’s richest nations are rich by the greater world standard. Clearly, wealth and riches are relative, measured not by amount but by how much one possesses over another.

What distinguishes riches as a miserable thing? There may be more than one certain thing, but one likely root issue is discontent. A farmer may think if he could only buy another tract of farmland, life would be easier. A businessman may think if only he can grow the net worth of his company by a certain percentage every year, then he will have it made. A salesman may work long, hard hours to add more clients to his customer list so his sales commission will be even greater. An employee may strive to get a promotion in the company in which he or she works so the paycheck will be larger at the end of the pay period. It is this endless striving for more that engenders unhappiness. When discontentment is present, nothing can satisfy and will only cause more distress and trouble. On the other hand, “godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Tim. 6:6).

In the world, riches are highly esteemed. Many people work hard to get ahead in life. Others may receive an inheritance that presents them with assets, and with very little effort, money comes rolling in. Whatever the case may be, riches are a hindrance to a humble, Christian life. Riches will never be able to help in any way at the final judgment bar. Rather, a person with wealth will have to answer and give an account of their accumulated riches. Sound, godly thinking will steer a Christian away from that kind of dangerous liability. We need a proper perspective of the danger involved in the pursuit of the accumulation of wealth.

“Never interfere with another man’s money” is a saying that typifies how we can tend to view our money as our personal business. When it comes to our vehicles, houses, and property, we may subconsciously retain the right to manage our holdings as an extension of self. If someone does something that causes me to have to spend my money unnecessarily, it can cause aggravation and annoyance. If I am overcharged for goods or services rendered to me and cannot rest until the matter has been settled and reimbursements made, we may need to recognize the subversive and tenacious hold that riches, a spirit of covetousness, or materialism can have upon us.

God commands giving, and He has a way of blessing a giving heart. Some may feel that they do not make enough money to give into the collection at church yet seem to have enough to satisfy certain wants. Others give plenty and then wonder why they seem to have financial difficulties. Can we have the vision that God blesses giving in his own special way? Many times, the blessings of God are not monetary blessings. We must give from a pure motive. If we find there is an inability to give, it could be a sign of being too attached to material things.

When wealth is accumulated and investments and assets multiply into yet more increase, the issues and challenges surrounding a store of riches become more complex. This may happen gradually, and almost without realizing it, people become entangled in problems and dilemmas that could be avoided. Is the quaint vision of fearing wealth that our forefathers lived by still applicable today? When large amounts of money are present, such as the proceeds of an inheritance, pride and greed can wreak havoc within families and other relationships. Being directed by God through his Spirit of wisdom will help us avoid the pitfalls of riches.

Illustration

A certain brother was tempted to question why he did not seem to have as much as most of the brethren in his congregation. This brother and his wife thought they were struggling somewhat financially as they compared their life with their peers. God sent a neighbor man to reprove him through a simple statement.

Over the course of time, this couple had been able to purchase a home on a few acres of land. The brother constructed a fence on the property, and some beef cattle were purchased. At the back of the property was a nice stand of hardwoods. A neighbor stopped by and asked about deer hunting in the woods during the fall. Permission was granted, and the two men soon became friends.

One Saturday, the brother was back in the woods cutting firewood when the neighbor stopped by to put up a tree stand for the upcoming hunting season. After the morning greetings were exchanged, the neighbor made a profound statement. He said, “Sir, I want you to know that you are living my dream. My family and I live on a small lot just outside of the city limits. We dream of someday moving to the country and being able to purchase a forty-acre parcel like this one. I would love to have a woodlot and a small loader tractor so I could go cut firewood from my own woods and carry it up to my house like you are doing. Maybe one day I too can have a few beef cattle in a pasture like you do. Yes sir, you are living the life that I can only dream about.”

The two men soon parted ways and continued with their duties of the day. God began to show the brother how he had been envious of others and their possessions. He had even been envious of this neighbor man; he owned a boat and an RV and drove a late-model truck. And here, to his wonder, this neighbor was envious of him! As he meditated on God’s bountiful blessings to him and his family, a deep gratitude soon flooded his heart. He was able to realize anew that truly “a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15).

Every one of us may be living someone else’s dream. Millions of people in this world can only dream of having a life where there is a happy home, contentment, and security. Why would I ever be discontented with my life or disgruntled because I think I do not have enough of this world’s goods? True contentment comes when we can view earthly riches in their proper context, focusing rather on the blessings of eternal riches.

When we compare ourselves among ourselves (2 Cor. 10:12), as it relates to worldly riches, we will always find someone with more. Let us rather seek those things that are from above. Those are the only riches in this life that deeply satisfy.

Questions

1. In the light of Luke 18:18-23, what should I do when I realize that this world’s goods have too strong of a hold on me?
2. How do we teach our youth about good work ethics, good economics, and saving for the future in the spirit of today’s lesson?
3. Unsubscribe

Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).