The Book of James Week One Lesson Three

“Treasures”

“Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.”

 James 1:9-11

The world has always equated earthly wealth with success. It makes sense doesn’t it? Being poor is viewed as defeat. In the world’s view getting the bills paid and having lots left over for luxury is the ultimate goal. But, is this the view followers of Christ should take? Whether we are rich or poor or somewhere in between, what should our attitude be regarding status and success?

Read Matthew 6:19-21. Answer the following:

What does Jesus say about treasures on earth?

What does He tell us happens to earthly treasures?

Where are we to store up our treasures? Why?

Where does Jesus say our hearts reside in regards to what we consider as “treasure?”

James is saying that the poor don’t have the problem of earthly treasures to hold them back from fully serving the Lord when it comes to the wealth of this world. But, the rich do. Who would think that being wealthy would ever be a burden. It is when it comes to letting go of it and coming under the leadership and provision of our Master Jesus.

As His slaves, we must depend on Him for our provision. Even the earthly wealth we have comes from His hand. Some people have more than others. This wealth should be used for God’s glory and not for a false sense of security.

Jesus, provides for all those who He calls His own. There is equal ranking in His Kingdom. He is Lord and we are His subjects. Unlike and earthly master He provides and loves beyond all reason. No one is greater than Him and no one is greater than others.

Everyone matters to God. He gives each person the ability to come to Jesus and lay their lives down and become His. He values the rich and the poor alike. However, what we are on this earth doesn’t matter. What matters is that we are His and that He provides for us.

James is teaches the poor have nothing of earthly value holding them back while the rich will see everything they possess as temporary. It’s hard to let go of material things. James quotes an Old Testament passage in verse 10-11.

Read Isaiah 40:6-8. What does it teach us about man’s glory verses God’s Word?

My husband, Mike, has over a hundred English roses in the garden beds around our home. They are absolutely beautiful. I’ve always said my husband doesn’t often buy flowers for me, he grows them. We dream of them in full bloom when we are waiting for the cold of winter to be blown away by Spring’s warm breezes. Around the first of June the gardens are burning with color and their fragrance overwhelming. We enjoy them until the big winds come down from the mountains and just like that the blooms are gone, scattered around the neighborhood.

Earthly wealth and the value we place on it and our success, is like the flowers in Mike’s gardens. Eventually, it is blown away and destroyed. When this life on earth ceases for each and everyone of us, the possessions and success we held so dear, disappears. It doesn’t matter anymore. 

Anything we think we have to supply our needs will never meet up to what Master Jesus provides for those who give over their lives to be His own. Life is uncertain and this world is temporary. We cannot rely on anything other than our Master and what He supplies to those who choose to love and serve Him. 

Are you depending on what you or the world can provide instead of what your Master promises to give you? Take this time to give over all you have and all you need to Him and take up His provision. Go to Him in prayer and lay it all out. Let go of the temporary and take up the eternal. Store up your true treasures in the vaults of heaven. Nothing can get to them there. Our eternity with Him is more real than what we experience on the earth. Allow Him to be your Provider and treasure what He has to give.