Daily Devotional for Friday, March 1

Transitions of Life

“Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away,” James 1:9, 10.

People link money to spirituality in many ways. Some say having money is a sign of God’s favor; others say you must be poor to be a real Christian. If you turn on the TV, there are preachers everywhere telling us how to get financially blessed by God. On the other hand, we see charismatic religious leaders imploring followers to give up everything and follow them. The truth is that God is neutral on the topic of money itself; it is with attitudes surrounding money that God has issues. That is true in our devotional passage as well.

James’ reminder to the poor is that poverty is material only, and that in the eyes of God, a poor person is as exalted as a rich man in this world. The world may have tossed the poor brother aside, but God has welcomed him with open arms. His lot here on earth may not seem pleasant, but he has an eternal inheritance to look forward to receiving. James also reminds the rich brother that, even though he may be wealthy, that will only last as long as his life on earth, and then eternity comes.

Finally, by comparing wealth to withering grass that fades away, James reminded us that what we have on earth is temporary, but our riches in God’s kingdom are eternal, which reminds us that, rich or poor, we are all equal by faith in Christ.

On what do you depend? In what are you trusting? If it is anything besides the completed work of Jesus Christ in your life, your trust is misplaced.

JUST A THOUGHT
We scoff at the idea of idol worship, but if money comes first in our lives, it has become an idol just as if it were a statue on our mantle.

Wally Fry