Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Mission in Christ Spirit
James 5:1-6
Vs. 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
Mathews Thomas, CT Mar Thoma Congregation
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more