James 5:5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselvesin the day of slaughter.
This verse describes so much of our world today. People seek after luxury and self-indulgence. We may think that this only applies to the wealthy but it is a common human trait in the modernized and urbanized world. It seems that many young people would rather have luxuries than sacrifice in service to others. This was a challenge I heard about in a recent visit to an Asian country. Going through hard times produces certain character qualities that may not develop as much in a situation of comfort. Deprivation can make a person thankful for the little. It can develop endurance and a hard work ethic in order to survive or buy the basic necessities. Wealth can take possession of a person so much so that the person becomes fooled by the promise that wealth will bring happiness. Neither wealth nor poverty produce lasting happiness. True happiness is found in faith in God and a relationship of surrender in love to God. Wealth brings fat and laziness which can lead to disease of the physical heart and the spiritual heart.
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