James 1- Like a flower 🌺

9The brother in humble circumstances should exult in his high position. 10But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field. 11For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its flower falls and its beauty is lost. So too, the rich man will fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

As the poor brother forgets all his earthly poverty, so the rich brother forgets all his earthly riches. By faith in Christ the two are equals.” (Hiebert, citing Lenski)

I recall seeing a license plate to a car at our church, it read "2rich4u"
Maybe he was a new Christian, immature in faith?
These verses remind us every brother and sister in Christ, rich or poor has equal footing before God and like a beautiful flower we too will wither and die.
If you have been blessed with riches, thank God and use your wealth to help the widows, orphans and the poor.

The Rich Man and Lazarus
(John 5:39-47)
19Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor. 20And a beggar named Lazarus lay at his gate, covered with sores 21and longing to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
22One day the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. And the rich man also died and was buried. 23In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham from afar, with Lazarus by his side.
24So he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. For I am in agony in this fire.’
25But Abraham answered, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things. But now he is comforted here, while you are left to suffer. 26And besides all this, a great chasm has been fixed between us and you, so that even those who wish cannot cross from here to you, nor can anyone cross from there to us.’

If you are poor, pour your heart out to God.
Luke 12:24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!

Remember the bumper sticker?
He who dies with the most toys wins!
Wrong!
Live within your means, stay out of debt, be humble, allow the Holy Spirit to guide you and don't chase after things of this world.
Like a flower we have limited time on this earth, use it to bring others to Jesus.

Jesus loves you!

Blessings, David