Calvary Baptist Church

Preached by Pastor Mike Hess Sunday morning 11/22/2009.

Redeeming the Time - Resources in Trials

James 1:9-12

Matthew 6:25 – “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious for your life”

Philippians 4:6 – “do not be anxious about anything”

1. Finances – living in poverty and in prosperity (James 1:9-11)

2.  Perseverance – God gives us the grace to persevere and to grow during trials (James 1:12)

1.  Exalting in Poverty (James 1:9)

Romans 8:17 – “and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ”

1 Peter 2:9 – “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own   possession, that you may proclaim the excellance of him who called you out of darkness into his   marvelous light.”

2.  Humility in Prosperity (James 1:10-11)

It is not sinful to be wealthy.

It is not sinful to be poor.

The issue is NOT wealth or lack of wealth.  The issue is contentment.

1 Timothy 6:6-8 – “Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world,  But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.”

Proverbs 23:4,5 – “Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist.
When your eyes light on it, it is gone, or suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.”

Isaiah 40:8 – “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”

3.  Joy in Perseverance (James 1:12)

R. Kent Hughes – “The fool looks ahead five years, ten years, perhaps even twenty years and plans what he thinks will benefit him best.  The wise fixes his sight beyond the grave, for he knows the high will be made low and the low high.”

2 Timothy 4:8 – “Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”

Closing Thoughts:

1. Our focus during suffering and trials – especially regarding financial trials must be an eternal focus and not an earthly one.  Our focus whether we are financially wealthy or poor is our spiritual riches in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)

2. Both riches and poverty bring very unique pressures and temptations with them – poverty – self-pity, jealousy, envy and bitterness.  While prosperity many times can bring out pride and self-reliance.

Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

3. How can we have joy in our trials?  By understanding two things –

First, God loves us as His own children.
Second, we love Him because He first loved us. 

Knowing those two truths is what can help us persevere through trials and suffering.

Philippians 4:11-13 – “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

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