James 1:10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away.
Being rich is often a temptation to boast. Wealth feeds pride, especially if that wealth came through hard work. In some settings, there is no ceiling for being able to make money. Most people I know just work hard from day to day to pay the bills and have a little extra for fun. For any of us, we must realize that we can easily lose anything we have. Our car can be stolen or wrecked, or computer can stop functioning, we can lose our job, the stock market can crash, and so on. Many people are actually only a paycheck away from ruin. This realization should humble us to realize our dependence upon God. Any wealth we have is a blessing from God. We are stewards of what we have received. For those who have worked hard for their wealth, there is a special temptation of ownership. We may feel like we deserve what we own because of our hard work. A good way to realize and act on our dependence upon God is through tithing to God’s work and giving to others, especially those in need. This helps us realize that what we have is only a gift from God and should be used to further God’s kingdom, through our own self care so we are healthy vessels of the Holy Spirit, through caring for our families so that they can be discipled, and through caring for others through our testimony of love and compassion.
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