James 1:9-18

James 1:9-18
⁹ Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. ¹⁰ But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. ¹¹ For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

It's not wrong to be rich.  But if you are counting on your riches and not on Christ, your riches will fail you.  

I think of hurricane Sandy that just wrecked lower Manhattan.  Though these people are poor by American standards they're rich by worldly standards.  Of what benefit were their nice homes when the power went out?  When my church was sending relief we were told not to send money because there was nothing on the shelf to buy.  Money and riches failed.

¹² Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

My last two years have been a great trial.  God has carried me every step of the way.

¹³ When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; ¹⁴ but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

God does not tempt people to sin.  He may bring trials and he may allow us to be tempted, but he does not send the temptation to us.  

Ever here the phrase "The devil made me do it."?  Well if we can't blame God, then it's got to be Satan.  Wrong!  Most all of our sin is just plain old us.  We choose it.  

I also want to point out the devil is ONE being and he is NOT omniscient.  He cannot be everywhere at once.  There are billions of people on the Earth and one devil.   Unless you are Super Christian who is on the front lines being used of God to bring thousands to Christ, I don't think the devil himself is going to bother with you. 

¹⁶ Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. ¹⁷ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ¹⁸ He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Have you ever loved someone who changed?  Our father does not change.  He does not give us gifts and then change his mind.  All the good gift he has given us are by his choice.  I am getting chills when I contemplate the fact that God chose me.  My eyes are wet thinking about it.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.