God loves you! He wants a personal, intimate relationship with you. He loves you so much that he sent his only begotten Son to die for your sins. If you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus died for you, you will be saved from eternal damnation and will spend eternity with God. Everything is going to be alright. Hallelujah!
But today is April 27, 2020 and you may be among the 6.6 million who have applied for unemployment benefits because of the coronavirus outbreak. You may have been counted among the poor even before shelter-in-place took effect around America. You may have been among the middle-class, but your employer may have to close his business before the year is over. During this scary, financial time you may be wondering, “Where is God? Why would He let this happen to His children?” You may be rich and think you are safe from all harm.
There have been conflicting opinions about the rich and the poor among God’s people since Jesus walked the earth. For example, our great, great grandparents believed there was a blessing in being poor because it kept you humble before God and showed your holiness (the poor gospel).
About thirty years ago, the “poor gospel” was replaced with the “prosperity gospel.” The prosperity gospel is the belief that financial blessings are always the will of God and that faith, positive speech, and financial giving to your local church or favorite tele-evangelist will increase one’s material wealth.
Which “gospel” is correct, and which is important to God?
James, the brother of Jesus, taught the poor Christians that God does not care about their bank account. God wants to know if they have accepted Jesus as Savior. Poor Christians are heirs of God and He will supply their daily bread.
“Let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his high position [as a born-again believer, called to the true riches and to be an heir of God];” (James 1:9).
James taught the rich Christians that God does not care about their bank account. God wants to know if they have accepted Jesus as Savior. They should rejoice because God’s grace is a greater wealth than their money and only His grace can keep them safe from all harm.
“ and the rich man is to glory in being humbled [by trials revealing human frailty, knowing true riches are found in the grace of God], for like the flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; its flower falls off and its beauty fades away; so too will the rich man, in the midst of his pursuits, fade away” (James 1:10-11).
Being poor does not signify humility and holiness; and being rich does not signify safety from all harm. Both the poor and the rich must depend on God for life’s sustenance in this world and the reality/experience of life everlasting. Being in the kingdom of God is the great equalizer.
The truth that God wants my heart and does not care about how much money I have comforts me. I am released to build my relationship with Him and not spend excessive time building my financial portfolio. What are your thoughts on James 1:9-11? Join the conversation.
Thank you for this reminder, Dorothy. It has been a struggle between giving; paying off; or keeping it for the next wave this pandemic will produce. And in the struggle, God has revealed that depending on Him will be a greater reward. Thank you again. God Bless.
Thank you Dr. Haire for this week’s blog. Looking at today’s times, no man is exempt and can escape what’s happening, rich or poor. But thanks be to God for His grace and mercy. I agree and is so thankful being in the kingdom of God is the greatest equalizer,my Jehovah Jirieh!
Judy, I join you in being glad to be saved. Thank you, Jesus.
Tammika, He promised us daily bread. Read again my blog on April 6, 2020. God will show you how to wisely manage His manna to you. Many blessings.
Tammika, God knows, He is with you, and He has you! Be still and know that He is your God! His love will not fail you.
Dr. Haire, this is an awesome consideration, this lesson brings the point home. Rather rich or poor it takes God to make it.
Linda, that is a wonderful way to paraphrase this lesson. Thank you.
Dr. Haire
This topic can go on and on due to various opinions but I believe God supplies all my needs and I must put Him first no matter what. Thank you for reminding me that no matter rich or poor I can not have anything without Gods hand on my life.
Angel, you are correct about many opinions concerning money. I am sooo glad that your trust is in God.
Scale of the justification is the dependency that will let one know what you depending on. Now ask yourself whats on the scale which can tip me closer to God or from God
Coleblooded, I have never heard it this way before. Sounds radical. Sounds like Jesus!
This a great reminder of where our hearts and minds should be now and always! Stayed on God! Money pays bills and buys access to earthly opportunities. I seek a heavenly reward for my family and myself, but work to maintain. As you stated in your article Dr. Haire, “both the rich and poor must depend on God for life’s sustenance in this world “. Finally, everlasting life is the true goal, or life’s worth, not money.
Patricia, I pray that God grants your heart’s desire – a heavenly reward for you and your family. God bless you.
This reminds me of the scripture in Matthew 6 that we are to seek God’s Kingdom first and all our earthly needs will be met. We see in these times that $$$ is not the answer (whether rich or poor), but only God. Dr. Haire, continue to share that we may all stay focused on the ‘True Riches’.
Shirley Ingram
Thank you for such a timely lesson. I am so glad that God is not impressed by how rich, prestigious or successful a man is. Faith, humility and being lowly in our spirit, not being high minded and full of pride is what gets the attention of God. James 1:9-11 reminds us, those that are in humble circumstances and those that have been humbled through the trials of life that reveal how humanly frail is, causes the believer in Christ to know that true riches are found in the grace of God.
Robynne Moore, thank you for joining the conversation. Good to hear from you.
This has been a trying season but God has shown me over and over that He has provided all of my needs. Sometimes, I have to remember when I feel like I’m drowning, I have to let go of the tension and float. God always sends lifeline.
Stephanie, thank you for this testimony. Someone needs to be reminded that “God always sends a lifeline.”
Thank you Dr, Haire. James 1:9-11 is a reminder that a poor man who knows Jesus Christ is no longer a man of low degree. He might be poor in worldly possessions but he has heavenly possessions of great value that last for eternity. Romans 8:17
“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ…..”. As children of God, we can always trust God.
Teach, Vivian, teach!
Unemployment (poor man), Stock Market (rich man). Today, no one is exempt.. Stability can only be found in God. Perfect and timely blog Dr Haire.
Monica, thank you for making it plain who the two groups are: unemployment & stock market.
Humble is the way.! I can see how our fore fathers misunderstood the scriptures. I can truly say I’ve felt truly rich, even like a millionaire with no money, or hope of material things. God helped me to focus on Him and His loving kindness. I understood that His provisions brought me great joy and peace.
Peggy, thank you for reminding us that “Humble is the way.” Humility before God means something in heaven and causes God to release provisions to the humble person in surprising ways.
Thank you Dr Haire for this blog. There are people that think that money can but them anything. It good to have money but it should not allow the money that you have to be what you worship. GOD & his Word is what we have in our hearts ad spirit because they are more precious that silver are gold.. Im grateful that GOD love me just as I am because He is not a respecter of person. There is no big are little you’s in God eyes you. God is concern about what in our heart and not about the size of your bank account , the money we have in our pockets are the people you may know that have money , he’s concern about our relationship with HIM. I want that eternal life, and while here on earth I do not want my labor to be in vain. I want to serve GOD, not man, money and don’t want to put my possessions above GOD. He sustains me and thats what matters to me.
Thank you , Arletha, for joining the conversation. I appreciate it. “He sustains me,” is wisdom for living a life that pleases God.
I agree. This a great reminder of how God’s Grace is worth more that money. I would rather have God’s Grace over money any day. In Philippians 4:19 it is stated that “God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” It doesn’t matter if there is a financial crisis, if you get laid off, or your 401k loses 90 percent of it’s value, God will still supply our needs.
Thanks again for this reminder!
Wow! I really enjoyed this lesson. Right now we are seeing that many have made money their God and have abandoned all common sense in pursuit of it. Believing that money will bring about power seems to be the end game. Just when the boast of the stock market was the loudest and at its peak, it came tumbling down the fastest ever in history making history. Those who had their trust in the Lord trusted He would still supply all of their needs. Thank you. Great lesson.