When Riches Vanish
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.”
James 5:1–4
The economy was riding high in the fall of 1929. The stock market had reached record territory, and noted economist Irving Fisher declared the new highs were “a permanent plateau.” But in October the crash that triggered the Great Depression wiped out billions of dollars in the space of a few days. Lines began to form outside of soup kitchens. It became common to see men in formal suits standing in lines to receive free food. The riches on which they had depended had proven fleeting, despite the confidence they once inspired. It would take twenty-five years, until 1954, before the stock market finally regained the level it had reached before the crash.
Those who count on wealth for their security are doomed to disappointment, for wealth at best is temporal and fleeting. There is no such thing as a completely secure investment here on earth. Solomon wrote, “Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven” (Proverbs 23:5). It is not wrong to have financial resources, but it is wrong to rely on them instead of relying on the God who provided them in the first place. Instead of trusting in wealth, we must trust in God alone to provide for the future.
James 5:1–4
The economy was riding high in the fall of 1929. The stock market had reached record territory, and noted economist Irving Fisher declared the new highs were “a permanent plateau.” But in October the crash that triggered the Great Depression wiped out billions of dollars in the space of a few days. Lines began to form outside of soup kitchens. It became common to see men in formal suits standing in lines to receive free food. The riches on which they had depended had proven fleeting, despite the confidence they once inspired. It would take twenty-five years, until 1954, before the stock market finally regained the level it had reached before the crash.
Those who count on wealth for their security are doomed to disappointment, for wealth at best is temporal and fleeting. There is no such thing as a completely secure investment here on earth. Solomon wrote, “Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven” (Proverbs 23:5). It is not wrong to have financial resources, but it is wrong to rely on them instead of relying on the God who provided them in the first place. Instead of trusting in wealth, we must trust in God alone to provide for the future.
Today’s Growth Principle:
If our faith and reliance are on God rather than on our resources, we can never lose.
A Steadfast Heart
by Joyce Meyer - posted August 11, 2017My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is steadfast and confident! I will sing and make melody.
- Psalm 57:7
In order to experience victory in our lives and achieve great things for God, it is crucial that we choose to be determined. The Bible says that Jesus steadfastly and determinedly set His face to go to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51), and we can do the same thing as we live for God. If we are going to accomplish anything worthwhile, it is important we “steadfastly and determinedly” set our face in that direction and not give up.
When you receive Christ as your Savior and Lord, Satan will oppose you at every turn. He wants you to give up! The devil is not going to roll out a red carpet for us just because we decide to receive Christ. But Jesus has already overcome the devil. Satan is a defeated foe. His opposition is not strong enough to stop you if you are close to God, walking in His strength and will for your life.
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that everything in life should be easy for us. Ask for God’s help, receive His grace, and be determined to do the will of God, to stay positive and happy, and to walk in the peace of God no matter what.
Press on with holy determination, and God’s plan will be fulfilled in your life.
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