This is a hard, heavy word—for the rich.
Confession: When I read God’s Word, it’s far easier for sinful me to think of people who really need to hear His words instead of seeing how much I really need to hear them. It’s only when our gracious God opens the eyes of my heart that I see His Word is ever for me.
And I’d suggest that most of us reading this, whether we feel like it or not, are considered rich compared to the majority of the world. But regardless of how much money we have, this word is for each of us.
I heard a Bible teacher touch on James 5:4, encouraging us to consider how we tip people—seeing those serving us as the “workers” spoken of here:
Look! The pay that you withheld from the workers who mowed your fields cries out, and the outcry of the harvesters has reached the ears of the Lord of Armies.
—James 5:4
In college my husband worked as a server at Red Lobster. And although I didn’t know him then, I’m sure he worked with all his heart, only enjoying cheddar biscuits on his breaks. But instead of a tip, there were many times those he waited on left him a Christian tract—“Your treasure is in heaven.” Thankfully my husband knew he served a mighty and merciful God whose generosity isn’t defined by His people’s generosity or greed.
But tipping is just the tip of the iceberg, a potential indication of our hearts’ inclinations. When we dive down to see what’s deep inside our hearts, we find weightier questions: Why does the discussion of money from a spiritual perspective make us uncomfortable or defensive? Why is it hard to be generous, cheerful givers? Are we treating our wealth as ours or as a gift entrusted to our stewardship by God, who gives us everything we have—our mind, gifts, ideas, determination, discipline, opportunities, and breath in our lungs? And do we believe that God “richly provides us with all things to enjoy” (1Timothy 6:17), or do we think we need to cheat someone out of pay that’s rightfully theirs, holding onto and growing our wealth at any cost because it’s up to us to provide? And diving even deeper: Has wealth become an idol to us?
What do we do when we’ve honestly faced God’s Word to find, once again, that we’ve been setting our hope on the “uncertainty of wealth” (v.17) and that we’ve withheld pay or generosity in big or small ways? We run to Jesus who knows our hearts and still loves us so much He died for us. Our sin can never outrun His grace. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Leave a Reply
62 thoughts on "Warning to the Rich"
Praise be to God
I was surprised by the number of people that did not know when or why to tip. Tipping has an interesting history (google it) and was thought to go against the egalitarian principles of our country’s founding. It was used by businesses to avoid raising wages and the price of their goods and services.
Which leads to the other surprises that no one addressed wage theft or the difference in comparison of the ratio of wages for business management to employees.
No gleaning of fields, wages that are not sufficient as living wages, and the growing gap between wealth and poor. Wonder what God really thinks about how people in power benefit themselves at the expense of others.
❤️✝️
Thank you for trying. My mom was a beautician and the tips she received made the difference for a single parent household.
Amen
So good! I have two missionary friends that I’ve prayed for but haven’t financially given to and was convicted to do so today! No need to store up treasure here. A good reminder :)
Yes!!! Get it girl!
❣️
Thank you Lord for your overflowing grace upon grace despite our sin. Help me be more generous and treat others with grace the way you have done for me. Amen
I visited a church in a foreign country, and when it was time to take up the offering, everyone clapped and cheered- they gave joyfully! I wish more churches here had that same enthusiasm.
❤
The devotional today was excellent. Well done Kimberly! It truly resonated with me. Often when we read Scripture, we imagine the message is for someone else (me guilty). While I didn’t initially consider myself rich, I realized that compared to so many in the world, what I have could be the things of many people’s dreams. My struggle with a scarcity mindset is a stronghold from my upbringing. I was raised in a frugal, post-war era where careful budgeting was a must for survival. This mindset was fueled by my father’s own hardships, as a child, he went to bed hungry and worked the rice fields instead of going to school. I inherited that passed down trauma map, and for a long time, giving felt like a betrayal of his struggle, even when I decluttered to donate, when my parents visited, they would tell me to keep, and I felt so guilty. It created a bondage in my mind that made me to hold on tight. Thanks to God, I realized the root of it. Yesterday in the comment, Kimberly posted an exceptional poem, thank you Kimberly, “Uncurl my fingers, tight with fear, Loosen the grip I hold so dear”. She mentioned fear which is so true. Scarcity is truly fueled by fear, and fear is a powerful emotion that can enslave us. The Bible was the first book to actually teach me how to give. It has taken many repeated painful practice to face the fear of having less, but I’ve learned that I can never outgive God. He is El Shaddai, the God of abundance, not El Cheapo. He has walked me through seasons of testing to reveal my idols, sometimes taking things away to see if I am mature enough to handle them, only to return them with reward. I’m still on a journey of renewing my mind through the Bible and various finance books, learning to see money as a tool rather than a master, and to undo the mindset inherited from my parents’ lack. The Lord even used my favourite TV show Little House on the Prairie to teach me contentment. I used to complain about my small kitchen and the lack of a pantry, storage… until the Lord prompted me to look at Laura Ingalls home and kitchen, I realized then how rich I truly am. I would sit and sob at the goodness of God, for I failed to count my blessings. When we seek first the Kingdom and His righteousness, everything else truly falls into place. Be blessed dear sisters.
That’s so good, Mercy, and so similar to how my parents grew up. Mama saved aluminum foil and plastic food storage bags, washed them, set them out to dry so she could use them again. Nothing wasted mentality.
.
Glad you’re back and I hope you had a restorative week away! ❤
Yes, I was going to say the same. But then it made my parents want to GIVE so much to us because they didn’t have, lol. And we spoiled our kids even more…and here we are..spoiled, entitled! (roll my eyes emoji!)
We definitely were not spoiled! We had what we needed, but no extras, but it gave me a good education about how to save money and what really matters in life.
Mercy, this is beautiful.
So many great nuggets. Insightful as always. Thanks for sharing. ❤️
❤️
My sister’s boyfriend refuses to leave tips whenever they go to a restaurant. He thinks they get a decent wage so they dont need tips. I educated him about the topic one day about how low servers are paid and like Kimberly stated they rely on tips to live. He still doesn’t tip but I tried.
This was a convicting devotional. Our pastor spoke about money at my church on Sunday as well. He mentioned that the easiest way to combat greed is by being generous with our resources. I pray that I would see everything as a gift from God. I feel like then I can give easier without holding in too tightly. I think sometimes I find my identity in money, instead of God.
I remember when I was divorced and self employed; money was tight. I gave a percentage of my weekly wages to my church. Probably more out of duty. Everything always worked out. I also had crazy medical bills from Tanner’s illness. But God was good and faithful.
Now as my situation is different, I find joy in giving. We were in Miami Monday-Tuesday and there was a service charge on our dinner bill. My husband was going to give a smaller tip because of it.
(The principal you know..) But I told him that the server was very good. A father to two. That he works hard for his wages and to up the amount. It’s funny because we were both raised to live very frugally (midwesterners), but it brings me joy to pass it on. Tom smiled and realized old habits die hard and agreed.
Yesterday there were so many good comments! I copied and pasted to a folder I keep them in. One day I hope to find the time to go back and read them again.
Also raised with midwestern frugality-lol- and as the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, we also raised our kids this way. It has its merits and its faults. :/
.
I struggle to remember and live by the fact that everything we have came from/belongs to God. Father forgive me and help me.
I do too..I go back and forth…spend-give-spend-give. Thankful for water–buy bottled water. lol.
So timely!! The last two years (since my hubby passed unexpectedly) I’ve been very involved with my finances- figuring out everything about it. Where is it coming from, when is it coming, how much is coming and then where,when, how is it all going right back out. I’ve been blessed, stressed, worried, panicked. You name it. Thankfully, I knew/know WHO is in charge of it all. I’ve had to take a step back to acknowledge that on more than one (or 12) occasions. It’s all His. He provides. He is my all in all!
Thank you for your testimony. ❤️
So good to see you. What precious testimony.
Ironically, I had just texted Rhonda this morning. Remembering. Remembering, recalling, when I received a blessing from many of you here at SRT. Sigh…..God is SO good! I’v said it many times and will keep on saying it. I may not be a widow, BUT GOD…. My Jehova Jireh takes care of my children and I as if I were the widow and my kiddos the orphans. My heart is so grateful that my children who are now adults have witnessed this over and over. Though I had to have a heart to heart conversation with my son and his job search, he knows, he’s being taken care of by our GOD! Love how Kimberly ended this devo. “Our sin can never outrun His grace. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!”
It was a BLESSING to be able to surprise you with a blessing!! You are humble, and God honors that!!
Whenever the pastor preaches on money, you can see everyone tense up! I needed to read this and your comments, today. The Lord has been working on me and trusting Him more! It’s easy for me to give out of abundance but now that I’m retired, I find myself more cautious. He is showing me how to release my hold and give more freely now without worrying how it will work out. Just being obedient to His call! It’s all His anyway!
Praying for Michelle and the other requests! Have a blessed day!
Finances and money is always the place Satan can trip me up and forget the blessing and generosity of my Lord. He had always been faithful to me. In one particular season He gave me Psalm 37:25 “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.” It’s a lot easier to be generous when He prompts me, when I can lean into his promise of provision.
Apologies – today is a long post:)
.
BG verse today (this week’s seem particularly connected to our studies)
James 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
.
And sharing 16b from The Message (not one of my regular translations, but I love it for the end of this verse).
– “The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with.”
.
I think Malachi 3:8 goes well with today’s Scriptures, as I feel that correcting any withholding starts with the Lord.
8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.
.
I think I’ve shared this before. It’s been probably 30 years ago that our pastor at that time challenged the congregation to commit to tithing for 90 days. We did, and still are. I knew tithing was Biblical and we gave to the church every week – generously, I thought. Wow, were our eyes opened when I sat down and calculated. Not generous, not a full tithe … gulp. So for 90 days, we paid at least 10% tithe and continue to this day using my somewhat nerdy spreadsheet. There of course have been challenges but overall, we’ve blessed through the years, sometimes financially and also in many other ways. I also feel that tithing and generosity apply to other areas, not just financial. Sadly, I fall very short on generosity with my time and likely other areas I’m not thinking of this morning.
.
BETH S congratulations! Thankful for the support you are blessed with!
GRAMSIESUE ❤️ praying, sister, as you and Steve continue on this difficult journey
MERCY ❤️ thank you for your sharing yesterday (and every day)!
””I am the self-made author of my success” is evil.””
This prompted me to pray for a former business associate who talked the talk, drew me in and then didn’t walk the walk – basically danced on the deceit while claiming their faith. I was stunned and disappointed to say the least. Once again praying for them.
SHARON JERSEY GIRL – praying for all you’re dealing with
MARY JOHNSON ❤️
HEIDI ❤️ late commenting on your circumstances yesterday. I don’t know what your answer was to any well intentioned, nosy questions you encountered, but wherever you are in your journey then that’s where you are … God’s direction since your huge achievement may not match the goals you had in mind at the time, yet anyway. Praying those people know it’s not their place to judge.
RHONDA J praying as you are seeking God’s path and plan for groups
MARI V praying for your son’s employment and the housing change for your daughter
KARI thank you for pointing out the additional line from v 5
KIMBERLY ❤️ just read your poem again from yesterday, thank you
B ❤️ thank you for posting the related scriptures! Praying today is uplifting and encouraging!
Thank you so much for continuing to to pray ❤️
Thank you for the extra verses and reflection. I am taking so many notes thanks to your wisdom ❤️
Thanks for sharing your testimony and the great verses! ❤
Quick comment then gotta run!
I like that KIMBERLY used tips as an example! I learned a lesson from a waitress many many years ago. She served with me as a room mother at school and worked at a popular steakhouse chain. We all thought she was paid a decent salary. When she to!d us what her meager salary actually was we were shocked. When sh told us that she depended on tips, that changed my thinking! I had always been ‘more generous’ than my husband, but I became even more generous after that and to this day wrangle with him to leave a tip bigger than he had p!anned. Seriously, does that extra 2-3 dollars above the base tip really hurt your budget? If so, NO sweat! If no? Why not give more?
⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡
From Warren Wiersbe:
“Enjoying what God has given us (1 Tim. 6:17) differs greatly from living extravagantly on what we have withheld from others. Even if what we have has been earned lawfully and in the will of God, we must not waste it on selfish living. Too many needs are waiting to be met.”
⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡
Love, hugs, and prayers! ❤
⚡⚡⚡⚡
MICHELLE P- Lil sis, you are not forgotten; you are MISSED! Praying along with our sisters for a safe and welcoming church community and peaceful resolution to this new trial. Love ya!
Thank you for sharing the waitress’ story ❤️. “we must not waste it on selfish living. Too many needs are waiting to be met”. Amen.
❤
My widowed grandmother raised 4 children working 2 jobs as a server, and tipping is very important to those in the industry. For background, currently the federal minimum cash wage for servers is $2.13 and about 25% of the states use this same wage. The other states’ minimum cash wage ranges from $2.23 – $17.13, but only 11 states have a minimum cash wage over $10/hr.
❤
@Michelle P – you are definitely not forgotten and still prayed for. I am so sorry to hear of the situation with the fellow at your church that made you feel you had to leave. Much prayers that you will make new connections soon and this new church will feel like home. You are loved. ❤️
Generosity is an area I am striving to improve. I have a tendency to hold back–partly because I am “naturally” stingy/careful with spending money.
.
However, I recently realized I am also judging the person to whom I am extending generosity–are they sufficiently in need? How will they use the money?
.
But God…He is the only one to judge. All I have is His, so I am only doing His will.
.
Lord, open my heart to be generous in ALL things in Your name and to Your glory.
Your comments on generosity and judging…same here.
Praying with you.
Father teach me to be more mindful of your provisions, and be more generous with others.
Amen.
Convicting.
This, I struggle with. Not that we are rich by any means but we do have some savings in the bank which is mostly for when we leave this particular ministry.
.
I’ve heard it preached, “give till it hurts”, and I also know of a very well known pastor who has stated that he’s told his kids they won’t have an inheritance when he dies because he’s given it all away – and to very good causes, like building schools for children in countries where there are none and feeding thousands who were without food, etc.
.
We give our offering each week and even though my husbands salary has gone down every year for the past 6 years, our giving goes up…but is that enough? I don’t know and that’s where the struggle comes.
.
Technically we would be considered at “poverty level” and would probably qualify for help. But we will trust God, & count on Him to provide, because even though we may not be rich financially – we are rich spiritually and who could ask for more than that.
.
So, this morning I will examine my heart and ask the Lord to show me if we should be giving more or in other ways and wait for His leading.
—
Happy Wednesday Shes – Wednesdays are the days I have little Lou, my 2 year old granddaughter – those are the best days of my week! Blessings to you all today! ❤️
How did Kimberly Girard know what I was thinking when I read the title today to the scriptures?! Lol. But I quickly thought exactly what she went on to say before reading the devotional. I KNOW we are blessed! I have really always known WE have more than so many people. Most of us have a place to lay our head at night, even in a wonderful bed and soft pillows, and have running water and more than enough. We have two cars yet complain about gas prices. We are able to go out to eat but complain, complain, complain. We find the chores tiring and draining yet wanted the bigger house and more stuff.
One of the greatest things we did to prove all our excess was to buy an RV and sold our house. It was actually wonderful to see how little I needed to…be. I could make due with 1/8 of the things in my house. Granted I could never live full time in an RV, but it was good to downsize and live simple.
God’s way is for us to recognize and know what makes us rich. What’s important. It’s not always about money obviously, but money does seem to be the “root of all evil.” It is a slippery slope. Every generation has more and more, and with that the expectations have ballooned. Lord, keep my heart in check. I know I am so blessed with all I have. Give me a heart for the less fortunate, you have indeed with the ministries, they are such a blessing that I am ABLE to help and bless others. Keep me humble in the things that I have and want. Thank you for blessing my husband with a job that supports us and the insurance we so need. Help me to hold lightly to the things of this world, and know that the best riches are in you and our future home. Convict me where I need it, in Jesus name.
Love ya’ll! Have a great day! I go to jail today…my favorite day!
Michelle P…So good to see you!! Sorry to hear about the situation.
I agree that people seem to keep having more and more. I see it in the younger generation of wanting to have what we built up to having now. They live in luxury. The sad part is it does not bring true happiness. Things have become an idol. Makes me think of yesterdays study of pushing God out.
Amen!
Perfect timing ❤️❤️❤️ Lord teach me to be generous with what I have.
I have to say when I saw the title warning to the rich, i did chuckle to myself “that’s not me”. But obviously, its so much more than money in the bank and I am indeed very much aware that and I am so blessed to have far, far beyond what I heed in every way. I really like the way the devotional writer took this to being generous, a cheerful giver, wise stewardship because no matter my financial status, I have the responsibility to be obedient and open handed in giving. All I have is because of the Lord’s provision and its not mine. His generosity in my life should perpetuate a flow of generosity from me. Lead me Lord, in being obedient in generosity. All I have is from you and so move my heart to be open handed in the ways you would want. Amen
Yes, perfectly said, Amen! I said the same thing too with the title. Ah, that’s NOT me!
Amen.
Holy Spirit, help me to be generous in *All* things!!
Amen
I feel so convicted by today’s readings!
What a great message today! Money is something that I constantly find myself worrying over. I don’t want it to be an idol in my life that takes my focus off of Jesus!
Holding on to my “treasure” with open hands instead of clenched fists helps me to be open to what God would have me to use the treasure for.
.
MICHELLE P – thanķful to see your comment. Praying for you and your situation. May the Lord direct you to a safe and encouraging community.
.
MERCY – welcome back
.
Grace and peace be with you all today
Thank you sister ☺️❤️
Wow! This certainly hits home because I certainly have never thought of myself as rich. But yes, I am materially rich in comparison to most of the world. Yes I tip when I go out to eat a meal, but do I do so willingly and cheerfully? When I pay for delivery services, do I tip as I should or do I hold back because of the service charges? Should I even be using these services if I can’t cheerfully give?Makes me think. What is the condition of my heart? It is my heavenly father who provides me with everything I have. So shouldn’t I hold it with a open hand?
Should I even be using these services if I can’t cheerfully give.. ooof @Melanie preach that truth!!!!
Amen
this includes charity