In what ways can we prioritize spiritual wealth over material wealth today? Seeing the Warning in James 5:2 “Your riches have rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.” (James 5:2) • Earthly assets are temporary—rot, moths, and rust prove it. • James pictures closets full of garments turning to dust to wake us up: any treasure we keep for ourselves alone is already decaying. Why Spiritual Wealth Matters More • Matthew 6:19-21 shows Jesus echoing James: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” • Proverbs 11:4 reminds us, “Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death.” • 1 Timothy 6:17-19 urges believers to be “rich in good works,” laying hold of “the life that is truly life.” • Spiritual wealth cannot be stolen, drained by inflation, or lost in a market crash; it is anchored in Christ’s finished work and rewarded by the Father. Practical Steps to Value Eternal Treasures 1. Redirect firstfruits: give generously to gospel work before spending on self. 2. Budget with eternity in view: plan for giving, hospitality, and mission as fixed categories, not leftovers. 3. Invest time in the Word: daily Scripture reading and memorization increase faith’s “compound interest” (Romans 10:17). 4. Serve with your skills: talents used for kingdom purposes generate heavenly dividends (1 Peter 4:10). 5. Cultivate contentment: practice gratitude, trim excess, and celebrate needs met rather than cravings satisfied (Philippians 4:11-13). Guardrails Against Materialistic Drift • Regular fasting—skip a meal or purchase to remember true dependence (Matthew 4:4). • Accountability—invite a mature believer to ask how you steward money. • Sabbath rhythms—set aside one day to rest from earning and focus on worship (Exodus 20:8-11). • Media discernment—limit advertisements that feed comparison (Luke 12:15). • Estate planning—design wills and trusts to advance ministry beyond your lifetime. Promises to Fuel Our Hearts • James 2:5: “Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith…?” • Colossians 3:2: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” • Psalm 37:4: “Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” • John 14:2-3: Jesus prepares an eternal home that outshines any mansion here. Takeaway Snapshot Prioritizing spiritual wealth means letting the certainty of eternal rewards shape every dollar spent, every hour scheduled, and every desire entertained. When Christ is our treasure, material things become tools, not idols; resources to bless others, not chains that bind us. |
    |