James 1:9-11 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, (10) and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. (11) 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.

The world seeks after success. You will find seminars, online courses, college classes, and even church’s that promote how to be successful and how to become rich. “Pursue the things of the flesh and you will have more and be happy!” they say. Unfortunately, if you have lived enough years and have pursued enough empty hopes you will find that the promises the world offers leave you wanting more. As James states, the rich man will fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

“All your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them.” ~ Walt Disney

Pursuing your dreams is an empty pursuit if the dreams and desires are not grounded in Christ. God desires for us to grow in our walk with him, not necessarily for our bank account to get bigger… If our dreams are centered around our spiritual maturity then we are pursuing something that will never fade, wither, or perish.

When it comes to testing and trials in our life, the Apostle contrasts the poor and the rich. When a poor man is discouraged by his position, he can rejoice in his position in Christ. He is able to look ahead at the future glory he has been promised as a child of God. Conversely, if a rich man boasts in his riches, he is boasting, or rejoicing, in something that gives no lasting pleasure. Not only will the riches and the fame and the power one boasts in fade away, but the man himself will fade as well.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 says this: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, says the Lord.” (emphasis added)

Regardless of my position in this world financially, I am to glory in my knowledge of the Lord. God has chosen each one of us to be his child (Eph 1:4) long before we were ever born. Whether rich or poor, filled or hungry, low down or lifted up, our pursuit is to be after the things of Christ that lead to spiritual maturity and not the things that lead to fading riches.

Prayer

Lord, help me to be completely satisfied in you today. I trust in you and have faith that you love me and will care for all of my needs in Christ Jesus. Amen