What would you do if you won a million dollars? Where would you go; what would you buy, or who would you help with it? Would you spend it wisely or waste it on frivolous things? Would a million dollars make you happy? Before reading this week’s blog, write down your answer to this question in the comments section below.
This week’s lesson on wisdom comes from James 4:1-17. Bible scholars believe that Jesus’ brother, James the Just, is the author of this book. Please take some time to read and meditate on what he has to say.
Money can be both a blessing and a curse. We have to have it to buy the necessities of life: food, housing, utilities, transportation, etc. It also makes life more enjoyable by allowing us to buy the desires of our heart: nice cars, boats, vacations, clothes, jewelry, and toys of all kinds--the things that bring happiness to people, right?
But...money can also bring grief. Families have been split; friends have become enemies, and churches have been divided over those green rectangular pieces of paper. People kill, steal, lie, cheat, and destroy just to get their hands on more of it. Television shows have people doing ridiculous things just to win large sums of money. They get people to eat bugs, lay in tanks filled with snakes, live in seclusion with a bunch of strangers, sing, dance, compete in ridiculously hard obstacle courses, go naked while trying to survive in the wild, and so much more. What exactly would you be willing to do for a million dollars? Would you betray your friends or family?
In James 4, that is exactly what is going on. There is a breakdown of relationships in the community, and this breakdown has its origin in—you guessed it—money. Some of these believers desired wealth so much that they were willing to cheat their friends to get it just to spend it all on earthly pleasures. They were committing one of the most offensive acts in the Bible: pursuing wealth at the expense of relationships. James even says that those who love wealth more than human beings are spiritual adulterers, even worse, they are enemies of God.
You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: if you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.
(James 4:4)
Money is not bad; it’s the desire for more and more for the purpose of pleasure that leads people to spiritual adultery and idolatry. Relationships are the true currency of life. When you think of the happiest times in your life, was it the money or nice things you had that made you happy, or was it the time spent with friends and family that brought you true joy?
James tells us to rely on God for everything, not to let money come between neighbors, not to judge others, to draw near to God and flee from the devil or the worldly desires he tries to instill in us, and not to boast about what we are going to do but rather to completely submit to what God will do for us. None of these things come easy for us. But the Bible tells us over and over that His ways are easier than the ways of the world.
Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.
(1 Tim 6:17)
This week, instead of focusing on where the money will come from, focus on relationships. Make it your objective to set aside time to visit with a friend or family member who you haven’t seen or talked to in awhile, or invite a neighbor over for a glass of tea, or make a new friend. There are so many opportunities available to meet women in our church. Come to Coffee Talk on Saturday morning at Boulder (10:00 a.m.). You’ll be surprised at how much true happiness comes from people rather than things you buy.
Have a great week!
Chelynn is a contributing writer for Shaken and Stirred. She is a long-time daughter of Christ, a wife, mother of two amazing adult children, and Nonnie to four beautiful grandchildren. She teaches Senior English at Charles Page High School and is also a Realtor for Keller Williams. She enjoys all things summer including boating, vacationing, and swimming.
Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash