James DAY 2 - Two Kinds of Trial
DAY 2
TWO KINDS OF TRIALS
James 1:9-12
What counts as a trial?
James says we should “consider it all joy when you face trials of many kinds” (v.2). He names two kinds in v.9-11.
In v.9 he says, “Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.” “Humble circumstances” means “poor.” These are the hard times everyone thinks about. It’s when you don’t have enough, or don’t think you have enough: not enough money, not enough house, not enough car, not enough work, not enough promotions, not enough family, not enough friends, not enough recognition, not enough love. Think about it: we often feel like we’re under pressure because we feel like we’re missing something - something we need or something we want.
But there’s another kind of trial: having too much. Some think the Bible is against riches. Others think it encourages riches. Both are wrong. The Bible sees riches as spiritually dangerous. Fire can be good but it’s also dangerous because it can do a lot of damage.
Think about it: many people treat wealth like the key to a better life. They think that money buys power, pleasure, and security. We do need money and material things, but no amount of money provides ultimate security and satisfaction.
But too much of anything sours people. That’s especially true of money. Having too much also tempts us to think too much of ourselves and too little of others. When that happens, we mistreat people and create conflict. James attacks this conflict at the root all throughout his letter.
Deficit and surplus each test us in different ways.
REFLECT
When have you experienced the pressure of “not enough?” When have you experienced the pressure of “too much?” Which was harder to cope with?
PRAY
Lord, these words of Proverbs 30 are my prayer today: give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. Amen.
TWO KINDS OF TRIALS
James 1:9-12
What counts as a trial?
James says we should “consider it all joy when you face trials of many kinds” (v.2). He names two kinds in v.9-11.
In v.9 he says, “Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.” “Humble circumstances” means “poor.” These are the hard times everyone thinks about. It’s when you don’t have enough, or don’t think you have enough: not enough money, not enough house, not enough car, not enough work, not enough promotions, not enough family, not enough friends, not enough recognition, not enough love. Think about it: we often feel like we’re under pressure because we feel like we’re missing something - something we need or something we want.
But there’s another kind of trial: having too much. Some think the Bible is against riches. Others think it encourages riches. Both are wrong. The Bible sees riches as spiritually dangerous. Fire can be good but it’s also dangerous because it can do a lot of damage.
Think about it: many people treat wealth like the key to a better life. They think that money buys power, pleasure, and security. We do need money and material things, but no amount of money provides ultimate security and satisfaction.
But too much of anything sours people. That’s especially true of money. Having too much also tempts us to think too much of ourselves and too little of others. When that happens, we mistreat people and create conflict. James attacks this conflict at the root all throughout his letter.
Deficit and surplus each test us in different ways.
REFLECT
When have you experienced the pressure of “not enough?” When have you experienced the pressure of “too much?” Which was harder to cope with?
PRAY
Lord, these words of Proverbs 30 are my prayer today: give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. Amen.
Posted in fall 2023
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Archive
2023
June
COMING SOON! RevelationRevelation Day 1 - TAKE IT TO HEARTRevelation Day 2 - IN THE SPIRITRevelation Day 3 - Learning to SeeRevelation Day 4 - The VoiceRevelation Day 5 - A Faithful WitnessRevelation DAY 6 - Past, Present, or Future?Revelation Day 7 - PRESS ONRevelation 8 - Comfort and ChallengeRevelation Day 9 - Compromised CommitmentRevelation Day 10 - I'm Fine, ThanksRevelation Day 11 - Holy, Holy, HolyRevelation Day 12 - Who is Worthy?Revelation Day 13 - Don't Give Up!Revelation Day 14 - No ContestRevelation Day 15 - Worship WellRevelation Day 16 - The Problem of EvilRevelation Day 17 - When You Don't Know WhyRevelation Day 18 - The Limits of SufferingRevelation Day 19 - Is God Angry?Revelation Day 20 - Saved Through Suffering
July
Revelation Day 21 - The Cry for JusticeRevelation Day 22 - The Judgments of GodRevelation 23 - They Still Did Not RepentRevelation Day 24 - Don't Curse CorrectionRevelation Day 25 - Search Me, O GodRevelation Day 26 - You Shall ProphesyRevelation Day 27 - Eat This BookRevelation Day 28 - Fight!Revelation 29 - Let the Truth TalkRevelation Day 30 - Worship and WitnessRevelation Day 31 - Our EnemiesRevelation Day 32 - The Enemy's WeaponRevelation Day 33 - The Enemy's FallRevelation Day 34 - Our ChampionRevelation Day 35 - Our BattleRevelation Day 36 - Where the Wild Things AreRevelation Day 37 - The Sea MonsterRevelation Day 38 - The Antichrist?Revelation Day 39 - Ordinary FaithRevelation Day 40 - The Heart of Ordinary FaithRevelation Day 41 - God's Guarantee
August
Revelation Day 42 - The Ugliness of EvilRevelation Day 43 - God's WrathRevelation Day 44 - God's DelightRevelation Day 45 - God's Just-nessRevelation Day 46 - The Wild Woman on a DragonRevelation Day 47 - Why a Wild Woman?Revelation Day 48 - Why is Babylon So Bad?Revelation Day 49 - Get OutRevelation Day 50 - Renew Your VowsRevelation Day 51 - He Shall Come AgainRevelation Day 52 - We Will Be JudgedRevelation Day 53 - Each of Us Will Give an AccountRevelation Day 54 - Afraid or Inspired?
September
Revelation Day 55 - Victory in JesusRevelation Day 56 - The Last ChapterRevelation Day 57 - The City of GodRevelation Day 58 - There Will Be No More DeathRevelation Day 59 - The Wedding of the LambRevelation Day 60 - Together ForeverNew Devo Starts SoonJames DAY 1 - Does This Thing Work?James DAY 2 - Two Kinds of TrialJames DAY 3 - Obstacles or Opportunities?James DAY 4 - How to Grow Through Hard Times (Pt 1)James DAY 5 - How to Grow Through Hard Times (Pt 2)
2022
October
November
Five Invitations - Day 12Five Invitations - Day 13Five Invitations - Day 14Five Invitations - Day 15Five Invitations - Day 16Five Invitations - Day 17Five Invitations - Day 18Five Invitations - Day 19Five Invitations - Day 20Five Invitations - Day 21Five Invitations - Day 22Five Invitations - Day 23Five Invitations - Day 24Five Invitations - Day 25COMING SOON - The Gifts of ChristmasAdvent 1 - Your Favorite GiftAdvent 2 - Where Are You From?Advent 3 - Unexpected Help