Who is the richest person you have known? On a number of occasions I have met billionaires. Some of them have been among the godliest persons I have known. How should we respond to the extremely wealthy people in our world? The believers in the first century were tempted to show favoritism to the rich over the poor. A wealthy person might receive the “red-carpet” treatment. “Only the best seat is good enough for the wealthy,” they thought. James, the brother of Jesus, was not overly impressed with wealth for wealth’s sake.
James reminds us that God measures wealth differently than we do. Perhaps he heard his brother say, “Do not store up wealth for yourselves on earth . . .” Hebrews 13:5-6 calls us to contentment in Christ. God will never leave us nor forsake us. This promise is better than all the wealth in the world. Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:6-7 that godliness with contentment is great gain. We brought nothing into the world and will take nothing out. So the Christian ideal is not to become suddenly rich. We work, receive a wage and give thanks for God’s gracious provision. But we must not set our hearts on wealth. Like all the other false gods of our world, it never fails to fail.
Who is the poorest person you have known? God often chooses the poor to be rich in faith. People who have the least may very well be the happiest people in the world. Consider whether your acquisition of wealth has measurably improved your happiness. So what should we do with our wealth? We can use it to put our faith into practice. So we can care for others who are in need. Wealth is converted for eternity when we give it away in order to care for the needs of others. We love our neighbors because god has loved us. Love gives. Love shares. Love cares. Love never fails!
