Day #65

Begin this time in prayer.

Yesterday, we started a study on the first of three ways the greedy rich in James’ day used their wealth.

1.    THEY STORED IT UP (v. 3)

Please keep in mind that the Bible does not say saving or investing is wrong… but hoarding is. 

(Please click on … Day #64)

2.    THEY KEPT OTHERS FROM BENEFITING FROM IT (v. 4)

3.    THEY LIVED IN LUXURY (v. 5)

Today we will look at the second way the greedy rich used their money in James’ day.

THEY KEPT OTHERS FROM BENEFITING FROM IT (v. 4)

From past lessons we know that these rich men robbed the poor of their payment for work completed.  Deuteronomy 24:4-15 tells us how the poor laborer was to be treated in this day.  In spite of the laws on payment to the poor, these rich men sat on their money and refused to let others benefit from their wealth.

Do you remember what a steward is?  A steward is a servant who manages his master’s things.  Were these greedy rich guys trustworthy stewards of God's stuff?  NO!!  

What about us?

True, we may have never refused to pay a poor person for work they had done, but there is still great learning in this for us.  One great learning from this lesson is knowing that God is the owner of ALL things and that we as believers are His stewards.

Please read 1 Corinthians 4:2.  Write down in your journal what is says about a good steward.

A good steward knows he owns nothing.  Did you hear that?  We, as stewards, need to fully grasp that we own nothing.  Once more, God owns it all and we are given what we have out of His kindness.  Please read Psalm 24:1.

Since we are God’s stewards, another great learning is that we have certain responsibilities to God, our Master.  We must be FAITHFUL to use what He has given us to the good of others and the glory of God.  We must not try to please others with God’s gifts!  We must seek to please God alone.

As you will find in this life, there are many ways that we can use God’s wealth to help others, but they all require giving.  We can no longer sit on our wealth and hoard it.  We can no longer keep others from benefiting from what God has allowed us to have.  We must share it.

TARGET of the DAY

Did you know that God requires us to give?  This is called tithing.

Please read Psalm 24:1 once more.

This verse tells us that the shirt on our back right now, isn't even ours.  It's God's shirt who has allowed us to buy it and wear it. He is so great that He supplies our needs daily… our food, our toothbrush, our home.

All He asks is for part of the money He has allowed us to have (a tithe), be given back to Him, so that others who are not as fortunate, can benefit from His wealth.  He wants us as believers to WAKE UP and be generous givers and not hoarders.

I pray that all of you are reading chapter 1 from Kisses from Katie this week.  As you read, I pray you see who the rich people of this world are.

Please take the time to look at this video from Katie Davis… VIDEO.