We took Thursday and Friday of last week off because of Independence Day. I trust you had an enjoyable time celebrating the Fourth with friends and family.
We’re going to finish up our walk through James today and tomorrow.
Look for the Lord (5:1-12)
As we enter the last chapter of the Book of James, we find a warning to the rich. Let me begin by saying that there is nothing inherently wrong with having money. Each one of us needs money to pay bills, provide food, buy clothing, and even give to ministry needs of the church. Money is a good thing.
But “the love of money is the root of all evil (1 Tim. 6:10)” and getting your money in a dishonest or inappropriate way is unacceptable. This is of what the opening verses of this chapter are speaking. Our money must be earned in an honest manner. Furthermore, we must make sure that we take care of our family, our church (and it’s ministries), and others before we frivolously spend our money on our wants and desires.
As we come to verse 7, we find that the subject changes slightly from the rich to the Lord’s Coming. In verses 7 and 8 both we find a command to “be patient”. We find at the end of verse 7 that the Lord has waited patiently for the fruit of the earth, and that we are also to be patient. Again in verse 10 we are given an example of the prophets as another command to patience. Lastly in verse 11, the example of Job’s patience is given.
Another command that we are given in light of the Lord’s Coming is for us to “grudge not one against another.” We have talked about this briefly before, but it bears repeating. Many times, it’s seems that the only people that Christians was go stand up against are their brothers and sisters in Christ.
As we come to the end of today’s devotion, I would like to point out one more thing. In verse 11 we find the phrase “we count them happy which endure.” As you know, this is the Contend Blog, and I have a publishing company called Contend Publications. To me, this verse is just another encouragement to Contend! I’d like to encourage you to look at this verse in reference with Jude 3, Proverbs 28:4, and Ephesians 6:10-14.
As the Lord’s Return approaches, we must be diligent to “contend for the faith.”
-S.G.
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