We are currently studying the Book of James in our weekly classes, and we are on chapter five, which opens with those words.  Throughout the teachings of Jesus, there were quite a number of teachings about wealth.  And in today's view they say that if you have a TV, consider yourselves amongst the rich.  If you have a bed to sleep in at night, you are of the very wealthy.

The story about the rich young man in Mark, chapter 10; the young man asked, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?  Jesus answered, telling him to keep the commandments and then said; “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.  Jesus, knowing what is in each and every heart, was filled with loving compassion for this man because his life was so empty.  That is what the Bible teachings of riches is all about, a life that is filled with things that will perish at the end of time, instead of the life that is building treasures in Heaven.  It is difficult to climb the ladder of success in life only to find out when you get to the top that it is leaning against the wrong building!

Now this doesn't mean that it is sinful to be rich, wealthy.  God wants to prosper His children; Jeremiah 29:11; For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  1 Sam 2:7 The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts.  But it says, You cannot serve both God and Money. 

So to be a child of God and be blessed with good fortune and wealth, we must make certain that the money is not our focus.  We cannot be focused on the ‘more and more’ attitude of this world, but live with an attitude of ‘doing good’ with what has been given to us.  There is a story in Luke about the rich farmer who had such huge crops that he didn't have room in his barns, so he built bigger barns to store it all.  Then he said to himself, you have plenty of good things stored up there for years to come. Relax! Eat, drink, and have a good time!' But God said to him, 'You fool, this very night you will be asked for YOUR SOUL!...' That is what happens to the man who hoards things for himself and is not rich in the eyes of God."  

God gives and takes away!  Those that are blessed to have money and wealth must know that God deserves our thanks and praise for what He does for us.  He also expects us to 'share' with those less fortunate and to 'tithe'.  Tithing was set up by God and it wasn't only an Old Testament thing.  Today the monies that are given as offerings to a church are how the church survives and grows.  It is how the word of God is spread.  2 Corinthians 9:7, Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.  

So I’ll close with this thought, there will be plenty of rich people in Heaven.  A person is not condemned because they are rich, but they are in danger if their worldly endeavors are getting in the way of their walk with Christ.  That doesn’t only include money; it could be a bad habit or a hobby.  Anything that we do in excess that takes away from our worship time.  We need to lay aside some of those ‘good things’ that are keeping us away from the ‘best thing’.