One or the Other

DEVOTION
JAMES
ONE OR THE OTHER
James 2:5-7
5 Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?
NIV
Do those who have so much of the world’s wealth not believe? Maybe that is true after all. If I compare myself to the wealth of this world, I certainly would have to say I am poor. But I am rich in comparison to so many of those in what is called the third world countries. Yet right here in America I have very little wealth compared to so many. I do think I am exploited by those rich politicians. I do think I really have to control of how I am taxed and burdened with whatever they desire to do for their own purpose. I do think they are the ones who are trying to remove God from the public arena. So in a sense this truth has some bearing on my life. Yet I am so blessed because of my faith in Jesus Christ. I know I would be absolutely lost and without and hope at all if I had not been saved. I can only imagine how magnificent the Kingdom of God is. Although I have a great picture described to me as to what it is like, it still must be far greater in person. Sometimes I wonder why God has been so good to me. Why did I even find him? I am so glad he did get through to me. I do not care for all the wealth of the world when I have the Kingdom. This world is going to be destroyed and all the wealth in it. The only lasting riches are the Kingdom of God. In fact I am already rich because of my salvation, and the great life God has blessed me with. I have a wonderful wife, great daughters and granddaughters; I have been reunited with my sister and have good friends. He has bestowed material blessings on me I am not worthy of. He has gifted me with talent and skills beyond my comprehension and my own abilities. I could never give any of this up for the wealth of this world. I believe I could not serve both for I cannot serve God and money.