Faith is about - Who or What we depend on!

In Review:

Evidence # 1 – How you handle troubles is an “evidence” of what you believe

Evidence # 2 – Purposeful living is an “evidence” of what you believe.
Evidence # 3 – Spiritual Maturity is an evidence of what you believe.
Evidence # 4 – Wisdom that comes from God is an evidence of what you believe.
Evidence # 5 – Standing on what God states in His Word and not how you feel, is an Evidence of what you believe.

James 1:9-11 “But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. 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.”

Too many people believe this lie: “The real problem with our lives is our lack of money!” We think: “If I just had enough money my whole life would be great!”

REALLY? Howard Hughes, Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson, Janis Joplin - On & On & On! Money at BEST can only bring physical comfort to your life, but it carries a bucket load of troubles! 

Like What...you ask?

1. Who are your real friends?

2. Do you keep it for yourself, or share it or both?

3. Everybody thinks you have no problems. So, they don’t ask or sometimes even pray for you. (Except for you to give them some of that money)

Here is the number 1 problem I see...You learn and believe you can depend on yourself and what you possess. How many suicides took place right at the beginning of the great depression? 

People had convinced themselves they were what they owned, when that was gone they saw no point in living.
 
God’s wisdom flows through James right here as he brings up the poor and rich. Each person has his own test and needs to deal with it properly. No one’s test is harder or easier. For some, it is possessions, for some, it is fame and recognition, for some, it is environment, and shocking as this sounds, for some, it is how religious or spiritual you appear to be. 

Scripture shows that God is a very personal God and desires intimacy with all those created in His image. Each test is custom-made by God to meet that person’s need for growth. 

God is not against the rich? If He can take what you have and know that you will keep following Him, you are freer to keep it. He does not play favorites but does understand realities.

Matthew 19:24-26 "And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." And when the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, "Then who can be saved?" And looking upon them Jesus said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."  

Evidence # 6 – Knowing that God’s concern is not about money, but about Who or what we depend on, is an Evidence of what you believe.

The so what: When the future frightens you; do you look to the bank, or a rich relative, or the Lottery? Or to God? Why wait till things are frightening, look to God now.