James 2:5-7

Hello girls!
Today's reading addresses being poor in spirit versus rich in the things of this world, and I came across an old Oswald Chambers book of mine with a wonderful devotion fitting to share with you!

"The New Testament notices things which from our standards do not seem to count. 'Blessed are the poor in spirit' (Matthew 5:3), literally-Blessed are the paupers-an exceedingly commonplace thing! The preaching of today is apt to emphasize strength of will, beauty of character-the things that are easily noticed. The phrase we hear so often, Decide for Christ, is an emphasis on something our Lord never trusted. He never asks us to decide for Him, but to yield to Him-a very different thing. At the basis of Christ's Kingdom is the unaffected loveliness of the commonplace. The thing I am blessed in is my poverty. If I know I have no strength of will, no nobility of disposition, then Jesus says-Blessed are you, because it is through this poverty that I enter His Kingdom. I cannot enter His Kingdom as a good man or woman, I can only enter is as a pauper.
The true character of the loveliness that tells for God is always unconscious. Conscious influence is priggish and un-Christian. If I say-I wonder if I am of any use-I instantly lose the bloom of the touch of the Lord. "He that believes in me, out of him shall [naturally!!] flow rivers of living water." If I examine the outflow, I lose the touch of the Lord.
Which are the people who have influenced us most? Not the ones who thought they did, but those who had not the remoest notion that they were influencing us. In the Christian life the implicit is never conscious; if it is conscious it ceases to have this unaffected loveliness which is characteristic of the touch of Jesus. We always know when Jesus is at work because He produces in the commonplace something this is inspiring."

It is true that God does not discriminate between the rich and the poor. But, if we are blessed with riches on earth, God desires that we maintain a poor- humble -spirit that bends to his will and control in our lives.

*On a sort of side note: Since we're reading the book of James - a book of the Bible completely devoted to teaching principles on godly living, etc. - I know I may not be the only one constantly convicted and running back to Jesus with "I'm sorry" on my heart lately! It's a steady, raging war to fight the sin that creeps in. This video is a gentle reminder that our Loving Lord always brings us back to him, day after day, and forgives...and extends Grace.

"...for where sin increased, Grace abounded all the more." (Romans 5:20)

Be encouraged!! :)