Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Mission in Christ Spirit
Mathews Thomas

CT Mar Thoma Congregation
1.Come now, you rich people, weep and wail for the miseries that are coming to you.
A warning to Rich oppressors and those who depend on their wealth.
This epistle was written by the brother of Jesus who became an Apostle once he saw the Resurrected Jesus. The theme is a practical Christianity. The epistle of James was probably the first New Testament book and he tries to correct the wrong practices and behaviors of the Christians.
Once we become a Christian we are a new creation and it will produce a new character in us.
James is a book about the application of our faith and the importance to learn and grow in Christ. That way, we can grow in faith and maturity so that we can apply our Christian character and conduct in how we behave with others. James clearly states that once we have faith we are given victory over temptation and sin (chapter 1); chapter 2- faith produces impartial love and chapter 3 - control on ones Tongue - gracious in speech. Chapter 5 victory over wealth and the dependency to this world and wealth.
At the same time James very strongly warns us the judgment that happens to those who accrue wealth by wrong means, by exploiting others.
God created a very beautiful world for all the people and all the creatures and we should be responsible and we are accountable for the usage of the resources of this world that God gave us.
We must not depend on wealth rather we should live by faith. Our citizenship is in the Kingdom of God and when we deal with wealth we are to remember that we are only the trusties not the owners of the wealth that God entrusted us.
Proverbs 11:28 Those who trust in their riches will fall,
   but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.
Jesus also many times warns us not to depend on wealth.
Mathew 19:24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."
The story of the Rich man and Lazarus, and the parable of the Rich fool clearly teaches us that we should not accumulate wealth by exploiting the poor or by oppression and that we are not to depend on wealth.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, make us to grow in faith and give us the grace to see the need of others and be good neighbors. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
"Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! " Ecclesiastes 5:10 

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