Home Not Heaven // Micah

James 1:12-13 “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.”

The primary “temptation” James instructs us to “endure” is the one he talked about in the verses immediately proceeding, namely the temptation to allow material goods to take an improper place in our lives. Not only do we tend to worship money, use funds for selfish ends, and hoard resources intended for Gods work, but we then turn around and blame God for tempting us by giving money to us in the first place. The disease infecting our first parents, blame-shift sickness, is a virus now universally contracted.

James responds to those blaming God for their giving into temptations with three important truths:

God is impervious to evil and does not tempt anyone with sin.

Temptation comes from our lust to have it our way over God’s.

God grants endurance and reward to those who turn from evil to Him.

The fight against evil requires a commitment to truth and reliance on grace and comes with a reward for the steadfast. In Christ alone lies the truth and grace needed for salvation and the endurance leading to eternal rewards.

Lord, help us to see ourselves in the light of truth, confess where we fail, and endure in the grace found through Christ’s gospel. When we sin, may we remember that deflecting blame causes us to miss the fact that our temptations lie on the doorstep of Home, not Heaven.

- Micah McElveen

Well Off // Micah

James 1:9-11 “Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.”

James reminds us of a pragmatic truth, a materially poor brother is less tempted to find his security in money because he doesn’t have any to hope in. His position causes him to look for assistance outside himself. The humility needed to acknowledge ones’ need for help and to seek it from God comes more natural to him as life has made him well practiced.

On the other hand, the rich person is tempted to lean on his savings and trust in his earning potential instead of truly resting in God’s provision. Money for the rich is often elevated to a place of worship, used outside of God’s intended purposes and held over the heads of those in need. While mammon can prop a man up for a season, it cannot satisfy or save a soul.

One day soon, that false god whose reliable persona lures so many, will wither like winter rye in the summer heat and all who idolized it will wilt. Many, once proud and wealthy, will kneel in the ashes of their god, filled with acute humiliation. Next to them the poor, who looked to Jesus, will stand exalting in the Hope of Glory.

Wake us up, Lord. Help us trust you more and steward your resources in line with your desires. Help us love, serve and learn from the poor. Grant us Heaven’s perspective on how to live truly Well Off.

- Micah McElveen