James 1:10-11

“…and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.”

Bible commentators are divided as to whether James was talking to the rich Christians or rich non-Christians, but the fact remains the same: being rich, from a heavenly perspective, is risky business.

Jesus described the sad state of the church at Laodicea who was deceived by her riches: “Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,’ and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked…” (Rev 3:17). Their wealth had clouded their judgment and they could not see their own spiritual poverty.

Most of us don’t qualify as “rich people” in the American context, but for those of you who do, Scripture’s warning could not be clearer: your riches, like the beautiful flower, will wither away and eventually come to nothing. Has your wealth clouded your judgment? Do you look in the mirror and take pride in your accomplishments, or are you humbled by your imperfection and sin?

If you are a born again Christian, don’t let your riches separate you from your continuing need for Him. If you have yet to be born again, don’t let them separate you from Christ’s forgiveness and promise of eternal life.