Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries.
Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten,
your gold and silver have corroded,
and that corrosion will be a testimony against you;
it will devour your flesh like a fire. (Jas 5:1-3)
We do not like to think about the fact that what we say and do can adversely affect us; however, that is, indeed, the case.
God has given us many things: gifts, talents, treasures. However, He has given us those gifts not to hoard, but to share with others so that they are as abundantly blessed as we are.
So often, people use their gifts to make others feel inferior. They let people know that they have something others do not.
Everything that we gain here on earth remains here on earth. We can take none of it with us when we die. Therefore, we need to learn how to use it properly while here on earth.
James is continuing a theme that Jesus spoke of often in the Gospels. Jesus gave several parables of riches leading people down a bad road because they did not use their riches to help others.
Helping others. That is the key to the scriptures today.
That is the key to life.
FAITH ACTION: In what ways can you help others today? How will you share what God has given to you?