James 1:11b

New American Standard Version

For the sun rises with a scorching wind, and withers the grass; and its flower falls off, and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.

Pastor’s Paraphrase

          Think of that illustration in this way – the flower along the way is beautiful when it is in full bloom.  However, such beauty only lasts for a short time for the scorching summer sun dries it up and it withers and dies. So it is with the earthly lives of those who are rich in this world – one day they will be going about their business and wake up to the reality that their life on this earth is over and eternity has begun.

 “How does this help me become more like Him?”

          Recently, the media reported the story of billionaire Warren Buffet’s plan to give away the majority of his incredible wealth, some 30 billion dollars, to combat poverty and suffering in the world.  The gift will be directed to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  The Gates have also committed enormous financial resources to fund aid efforts around the world.  These efforts are noble and are to be commended.  Any human suffering that is alleviated is a good thing.  I applaud these wealthy individuals for their generosity to what they believe will help millions of needy people.

          By all accounts, Mr. Buffet is not a highly materialistic individual despite his multi-billion dollar fortune.  He still lives in the same modest home that he bought many years ago and he still eats frequently at Dairy Queen.  I know nothing of his spiritual condition or that of the Gates.  I pray that they do not live under the delusion that their generosity, as noble and admirable as it is, can secure for them eternity in Heaven.

          The Scripture says that no human endeavor can eradicate the stain of sin from our souls or redeem us from the consequence and penalty of sin.  Only the sinless life and sacrificial death of Jesus Christ can do so.  The great danger for those who are wealthy and virtuous is that they would believe that their unselfish acts could secure for them eternal reward.  For anyone who is apart from faith in Christ – rich or poor – there is no eternal reward.  To trust in anyone or anything other than the only Son of God is to make an irreversible and eternally tragic mistake.

          I pray that the many millions given by these generous billionaires will do much good to alleviate human suffering.  But my greatest concern is for the eternal souls of the millions they are seeking to help – and for the souls of the benefactors as well.  Jesus said in Mark 8:36, “And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process?” (New Living Translation)

          People need the Lord – rich and poor, of every color and origin, of every language and nation.  It is our privilege and responsibility to tell the world that they cannot trust in their wealth or their works but in the Savior alone.  May God give them ears to hear and give us a voice to tell!

“How should I pray for Him to change my life?”

Ask the Lord to put someone on your heart who is trusting in something other than the Lord for their life and eternity.  Pray that He would give you opportunities to show them the love and grace of the Lord through your life.  Pray for opportunities to share the truth of the gospel with someone who needs to know the Lord through faith as you do.

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