Monday 27 Sep 2021

September 27: James 5:1-6
 
Key Verse: James 5:1
Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you.
 
Devotion:
How often have you wanted to win the lottery or win a cash prize, thinking it would make your life so much easier... Well, it may well make your life easier in the shorter term, but what else would it do to your life?
 
When we are surrounded by temptation, we usually give in to it at some stage. If we are surrounded by the money from a big win, we will probably give in to the things which money can buy and get so side-tracked from our normal lives with God, we leave Him behind. We don't want to and we know we shouldn't, but we do because it can be done and we convince ourselves we can go back to God tomorrow instead!
 
That is what the people were doing in this time of the disciples. The rich and powerful were ruling over the poor, not because they were better than them, but because they could with the money doing the talking instead of God's love! The temptation of riches and earthly comforts which money can buy are too great for us to ignore! Have you ever wondered why God does not answer your prayers when you ask Him for money!
 
We also tend to shy away from hard work if there is an easier way out – not something Christ has taught us, but the greed of the world has taught us! There are so many things which get corrupted by money, we are probably better off without it most of the time. It is not the money which is evil, but the love we gain for it which corrupts us from the inside! God does not want us to be corrupted by this love for money because He knows it will take us away from Him!
 
Points to Ponder:
How much money would you like in the bank?
 
What would you really do if you had more money?