The Folly of Riches

The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.  For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed.  In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.

James 1:9-11

            The world views the rich and the famous as having success, riding the world, being in a superior, elevated position.  The poor are seen as being the scum of the earth, unmotivated, lazy, in the worst possible, lowest position.

            These verses are a modern day irony.  How does the rich take pride in their low position?  How does the poor take pride in their high position?  There is another irony that fits well here:

            “The greatest among you will be your servant.  For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”  (Matthew 23:11-12)

            All the material possessions we have will one day pass away.   What would you do if all the prestige, possessions, and status you have would suddenly be taken away?

            One day, the poor will be elevated and the rich will be lowered.  The status and position will be reversed.  If fact, in the eyes of God this is already the case.  God looks favorably on the poor and looks with distaste on the wealthy.  What counts in this material, temporal life does not matter to God—degrees, commissions, jobs, church positions, etc…  What matters to God is how you use for God what you have!  What matters to God is how you play the hand you have been dealt?

            These verses in James reflect the words of the Psalmist (103:15-16):

            As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.

What do you value most in life?  What are possessions do you prize?  What status or positions do you hold?

How do you reconcile what you prize in life with what God prizes?

What steps do you need to take to bring your values into line with God’s values?

“Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says the Lord.

“I will protect them from those who malign them.”

Psalm 12:5

The Perpetual Poor

The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want.  (Mark 14:7)

            Again at first glance this verse appears to be in sharp contrast with the earlier Deuteronomy verse (15:4).  However, there should be no poor among you, for in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you.

            These verses that describe Jesus’ anointing with expensive perfume at Bethany tell us more about the attitudes of the disciples than about a new or differing theology of the poor.  Jesus is not advocating neglecting the poor because you will also have the poor among you.

            The woman with the alabaster jar of very expensive perfume is anointing Jesus.  This is an extremely critical point in Jesus’ ministry.  Note that this event is occurring immediately before the Lord’s Supper, Gethsemane, His Arrest, Trials, and Crucifixion.

            The rebuke Jesus railed against the disciples had more to do with addressing their indignation—they were upset perhaps that this woman of questionable character would perceive the significance of the moment.  In John’s account of this event, Jesus says; “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.  You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”  (John 12:7-8) 

            The woman understood the consequence of Jesus’ mission, while those closer to him did not.  The rebuke brings the totality of the event into a clear focus.  Our spiritual response to Jesus is urgent.  Our work among the poor will be constant for the poor will always be among us.  However, there are times that we must not allow a work that is always present to hinder us from our spiritual relationship and worship duties.

            Balance is the key!  In The Salvation Army, we struggle constantly with this.  How do we equalize our spiritual and social ministries?

Can you recall a situation where you have become upset or even indignant over the use of resources for a spiritual function?  And perhaps you thought the funds could have been used better for a more compassionate effort?

How do you balance the spiritual and social ministries at your church?

If anyone has material possessions

 and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him,

how can the love of God be in him?

1 John 3:17

Called to Care

“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me,’ (40)  “He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ (45)

Matthew 25:40-45

            Jesus makes it abundantly clear throughout the Gospel accounts that his followers have “to make a choice between living to enjoy our money or living to bless the poor with it.”  Listen to his words in Luke 12:33-34—“Sell your possessions and give to the poor.  Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

            How do we use our money?  Are we called to care for ourselves and/or to care for others?  Jesus teaches that we are to use our money to help others.  He even equates helping the poor with personally helping Him.  When we do for the poor—feeding the hungry—giving drink to the thirsty—inviting a stranger in—clothing the naked—visiting the sick—visiting the prisoners; it is as if we are doing it for Jesus Christ Himself.

            The follower of Christ is called to care.  Being a Christian is far more than believing a creed or set of doctrines.  Being a Christian is far more than living a norm of behavior.  Being a Christian is doing for others what Christ would do Himself.  Being a Christian is reacting, behaving, bringing to completion the very involvement of Jesus Christ in that given situation.  The follower of Christ is called to care.  The follower of Christ is called to involvement.  The follower of Christ is called to do something.  The follower of Christ is called to live out Christ in everyday life.  The follower of Christ is called to be the very presence of Jesus Christ in every circumstance.

            Note the consequence of failing to live out Christ in everyday life—particularly to the poor:  “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”

How do you view money and possessions?  Held tightly to yourself or as gifts from God to be used to care for others?

            What adjustments might you have to make in your life as a result of new understanding from this Scripture?

            How would you be able to respond to the Lord if he asked you; “Why did you not help?”

Arise, Lord!  Lift up your hand,

O God.

Do not forget the helpless.

Psalm 10:12