Sometimes we can be too “spiritual”
for our own good. We can feel that as long as we perform certain religious
duties, we can do what we want with the rest of our lives. The Pharisees were
prime examples of this. They were very punctilious about their religious duties
and tithed even the herbs that grew in their gardens (Matthew 23:23). But they
were willing to foreclose on the houses of widows (Mark 12:40) and made
hairsplitting distinctions about what oaths were valid (Matthew 23:16-22). They
also were portrayed in general as lovers of money (Luke 16:14). The people
described in the epistle of James seem have carried on the same types of
practices. They showed partiality toward the rich (James 2:1-7) and refused to
help those in need (James 2:15,16). Also, they were refusing to pay their
laborers and condemning to death those who opposed them, so they could live in
luxury (James 5:1-6). Not a pretty picture.
God, you see, is very practical. He
is not so much concerned with our religious respectability and outward
reputation as with who we really are. He is looking for our inner character
(Galatians 5:22,23; 1 Corinthians 13:1-7; Romans 12:9-21), but He wants to see
that displayed practically in how we act toward other people (James 1:27;
Matthew 25:31-46; Isaiah 58:2-10). This gets down into the nitty-gritty of how
we conduct our business dealings and other practical, day-by-day issues. In
these issues we are called to be honest in our dealings and not attempt to
cheat people (Proverbs 11:1; Amos 8:4,5; Micah 6:11). We should do a decent
day’s work for a decent day’s pay (Ephesians 4:28; 2 Thessalonians 3:10;
Proverbs 6:6-11). We should be willing to give to help those in need (1 John
3:17; Galatians 2:10; Proverbs 14:31). But ultimately, we must avoid making
money the central focus of our lives (Matthew 6:19-24; 1 Timothy 6:6-10;
Colossians 3:5).
Now this is not always easy to do.
We live in a world where we do need money to live, and it is always easy to get
it out of proportion. And it is often difficult in the business world to know
what is and what is not just dealing. But if we do not consider where the
boundaries are and make a deliberate attempt to avoid passing over them, there
is a good chance we will drift over them without noticing. And if we go too far
down that road, God will not be impressed by our external religious
observances.
Now salvation is by grace and is the
gift of God (Ephesians 2:8,9; Romans 4:4.5; Philippians 3:9). But this great
love of God for us should result in a response of love for Him (1 John 4:19; 2
Corinthians 5:14-15; Romans 12:1,2). And this should result in a transformation
of our lives (Ephesians 2:10; Titus 2:11-14; 2 Corinthians 3:18). A
transformation that reaches into all aspects of our lives, not just the religious
ones.
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