Good Morning.

As much as I love dissecting and figuring out the application of wisdom, I suppose it is

prudent to move on into James. . .

The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position.

But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he

will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and

withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same

way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.

James 1.9-11, NIV

Let me remind you of James' readership--

new Jewish Christians, scattered, their worlds turned upside down after they

had travelled to Jerusalem to observe the annual Feast of Weeks, where they heard and

received the Gospel. Almost to a person, these new believers were facing persecution--

including starvation, torture, imprisonment. . . They were ostracized by the Jews and disowned

by their families. But, what did Jesus say in the Sermon on the Mount?

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 5.10

These folks were familiar with the delicate flower blooming in the morning, and then

withering with the scorching sun of the Middle East. . . so James points out that while riches bring

comfort for today, they are fleeting; the rich are often lulled into false security because of their wealth,

which often makes the simplicity of the Gospel message harder for them to accept. By the same token,

hardship is for the day; there will be no trials in Heaven. One day, God Himself will wipe away our tears--

no tear falls to the ground but what He sees it.

The affluence of our Western culture can lull us to sleep with no great care of an eternal perspective.

Jesus said, What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Mark 8.36

Striving for earthly gain is anything but wrong--unless or until it becomes our driving force and focus.

When that happens, it robs us of contentment, shifts our focus to the material, and steals the joy

from our moments.

May I ask you, "What is your driving focus?"________________________________________

How is your contentment factor? __________________________________________

While it seems that this life is all there is, in fact, it is just all we know--currently. It will be but

a blip on the eternal timeline. Yet, it is our blip! I'm reminded of the psalmist's words--

Teach us to make the most of our time ,

so that we may grow in wisdom. Psalm 90.12

Spend a moment on the two questions above, won't you?

Carpe Diem, my dear ones.

Christine