Tag Archives: uncertainty of wealth

A Devotional Journey through the Epistle of James

13 Sunday Sep 2026

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Day 7: The Blessing and the Reward

God will bless you,
if you don’t give up when your faith is being tested.
He will reward you with a glorious life, 
just as he rewards everyone who loves him.
(James 1:12, CEV)

Reflection

Let’s face it. Life is tough. It’s a constant struggle, more so for some than others, but this truth remains: At various times, we will all face difficulties, grief, and loss.

For believers such hardships can come as a severe test that strikes at the very roots of our faith. The loss of a relationship, a spouse, or a child can snuff out our confidence and send our soaring faith crashing to the ground. We can quickly find ourselves asking, “Why God? You are all powerful. Why did you allow this tragedy—this mishap—this loss to happen?”

And what do we hear back when we ask these questions? 

Silence. Often just silence.

Into the silence—into our despair—God’s word whispers, “God will bless you, if you don’t give up when your faith is being tested.”

When tragedy strikes, we can be tempted to give up on our faith in a loving, merciful God. At such times we should heed this advice from the writer of Hebrews:

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. (Hebrews 12:7-8, NIV)

Are you just a fair-weather follower of Jesus, or does he command your full allegiance? Are you a son or daughter of the Most High? If so, then you will endure hardship and come through triumphant just as James declares. He will reward you with a glorious life, just as he rewards everyone who loves him. (James 1:12b, CEV)

The Lord rewards our faithfulness to Him. The Greek words that James uses in the passage above signify crowning with a laurel wreath as was done for winners at the ancient Olympic games. Other translations refer to our reward as “the crown of life.” (See James 1:12, NIV.)

For now, and eternity there is unfading honor in running our race for Jesus.

Response

Lord God, when the way is hard give me the the strength to endure and press on. Bring me safely across the finish line. You are my shield and my very great reward (Genesis 15:1). I put my trust in your saving grace. I pray in the all-powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

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A Devotional Journey through the Epistle of James

06 Sunday Sep 2026

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Day 6: The Poor and the Rich

Any of God’s people who are poor should be glad
he thinks so highly of them. 
But any who are rich should be glad when God makes them humble.
Rich people will disappear like wild flowers 
scorched by the burning heat of the sun.
The flowers lose their blossoms,
and their beauty is destroyed.
This is how the rich will disappear,
as they go about their business.
(James 1:9-11, CEV)

Reflection

I confess I would rather be rich than poor. I would rather be honored than humbled. But in today’s reading from James, we see that God turns that kind of thinking on its head. God thinks highly of the poor. And on the opposite end of the wealth spectrum, James writes the “rich should be glad when God makes them humble.”

That’s the reverse of how the world operates. The rich are honored and the poor and needy are despised.

From where did James get the values reflected in the passage above? He got them directly from his half-brother, the Lord Jesus, the risen Christ.

Jesus begins his epic Sermon on the Mount with these words:

 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:3-5, ESV)

Jesus blessed the poor and honored the meek and humble in heart. That’s the kind of Savior we have. He hears the pleas of the beggar by the roadside of life. (See Mark 10:46-52.) Our Savior saves his rebukes for the rich, the proud, and the self-righteous. See Matthew 23.

There is no certainty in wealth. Paul gives this sound advice to Timothy: Warn the rich people of this world not to be proud or to trust in wealth that is easily lost. Tell them to have faith in God, who is rich and blesses us with everything we need to enjoy life. (1 Timothy 6:17, CEV)

But it’s not just wealth that is uncertain. Our very lives are uncertain. Later in his epistle James issues this warning: What do you know about tomorrow? How can you be so sure about your life? It is nothing more than mist that appears for only a little while before it disappears. (James 4:14, CEV)A rich man named Job declared, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart” (Job 1:21). Our security for now and all eternity must rest in Christ our Savior.

Response

Lord God, help me to put my complete trust in you rather than this world’s wealth. In practical ways help me to reflect your care for the poor and needy. If I prosper help me maintain a heart of humility and gratitude because all I have comes from you. I pray in the all-powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

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Understanding Comes in the Sanctuary of God

13 Saturday Jun 2026

Posted by in Psalm 73, Psalms

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Listen to Psalm 73:12-20 read by Jonathan Dent

Reading: Psalm 73:12-20 (NIV)*

This is what the wicked are like—
always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.
Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure
and have washed my hands in innocence.
All day long I have been afflicted,
and every morning brings new punishments.
 If I had spoken out like that,
I would have betrayed your children.
When I tried to understand all this,
it troubled me deeply
 till I entered the sanctuary of God;
then I understood their final destiny.
Surely you place them on slippery ground;
you cast them down to ruin.
How suddenly are they destroyed,
completely swept away by terrors!
They are like a dream when one awakes;
when you arise, Lord,
you will despise them as fantasies.

Response

LORD God, bring me to your sanctuary. Help me to enter into communion with you. Help me discern what is of real value in a world filled with idols and shams. Give me your understanding. Amen.

 

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* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
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The photo of Jerusalem on the cover of Psalm 365, Volume II


Take a journey to the cross.


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* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica

How We Live Matters

24 Friday Nov 2017

Posted by in Bible, Devotionals, Psalm 62, Psalms

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Reading:                                      Psalm 62

(Verses 9-12)
Surely the lowborn are but a breath,
the highborn are but a lie.
If weighed on a balance, they are nothing;
together they are only a breath.
Do not trust in extortion
or put vain hope in stolen goods;
though your riches increase,
do not set your heart on them.
One thing God has spoken,
two things I have heard:
“Power belongs to you, God,
and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”;
and, “You reward everyone
according to what they have done” (NIV).

Reflection
In this life that we have been given, what things are solid? What things are sure? Not much according to the psalmist, David.

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Setting sun at Green’s Creek Point on the Ottawa River — photo by David Kitz

Our station in life is just a fabricated lie. At heart, the highborn are no different than the street pauper. We breathe the same air, suffer the indignities of aging, and our bodies are fated for death and decay. In his epistle, James makes our fate quite clear. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes (James 4:14b).

As for this world’s wealth, it has no lasting value. Here is sound advice—advice from this psalm that you won’t get from a financial planner: though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.

What then should we do? How should we live? Live in the light and knowledge of eternity and the One who holds eternity in His hands. David reminds us God will…“reward everyone according to what they have done.”

In other words, how we live matters. It matters for now and eternity. That knowledge should inform and give shape to all that we say and do. But there are two additional truths that should bring meaning to our lives. One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: “Power belongs to you, God, and with you, Lord, is unfailing love.”

God alone has the power of life, death and resurrection. And in Jesus, He demonstrated his unfailing power and love for every man, woman and child on this planet. On the cross Jesus showed his unfailing love. Other loves—human loves—may fail us, but God’s love stands firm and unwavering. In a changing world of eroding values our LORD remains firm and immovable.

Response: LORD God, thank you for the unfailing love of Jesus. You love me even when I have failed and despite my shortcomings.  Help me live my life in the light of eternity. Amen.

Your Turn: Is God’s love a motivator for you to change your ways, since He never changes?