True Wealth: Investing in Eternal Treasures

Devotional

Day 1: Earthly Riches Corrupt, Heavenly Riches Endure

James warns that earthly riches promise security and satisfaction, but in the end, they rot, corrode, and deceive our hearts, leading us away from true fulfillment. The pursuit of wealth for its own sake can become an idol, consuming our thoughts and actions, and ultimately leaving us empty. Instead, we are called to remember that our true wealth is found in the treasures we store up in heaven, which can never be taken away or destroyed. Let your heart be reoriented to the eternal riches that Christ offers, and find your joy in Him alone, not in the fleeting security of money. [07:40]

James 5:1-3 (ESV)
Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days.

Reflection: In what ways have you been tempted to find your security or satisfaction in money or possessions rather than in Christ? What is one practical step you can take today to shift your focus to heavenly treasures?

Day 2: Money Can Be Obtained Wrongly—Integrity Matters

James highlights that not only can money become an idol, but it can also be obtained in ways that are unjust or dishonest, even in small, everyday actions. Whether it’s taking personal calls or scrolling social media on the clock, or neglecting to give back to God what is His, these seemingly minor choices matter to God. True integrity means honoring God with every detail of our financial life, recognizing that all we have belongs to Him, and refusing to cut corners or justify small acts of theft. Let your stewardship reflect God’s character, and seek to be honest and fair in all your dealings. [14:09]

James 5:4 (ESV)
Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.

Reflection: Is there an area in your work or finances where you have been less than fully honest or generous? What would it look like to make it right before God and others today?

Day 3: True Security Is Found in God, Not Wealth

The Bible is clear that wealth itself is not sinful, but placing our security in it is a grave mistake. Even the most faithful and wealthy figures in Scripture—like Abraham, Job, and Solomon—found their security in God, not in their riches. Money can be lost in a moment, but God’s faithfulness endures forever. Instead of hoarding or trusting in wealth, we are called to build our lives on the eternal foundation of God’s promises, knowing that He alone is our provider and sustainer. [16:22]

Luke 12:19-21 (ESV)
And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” But God said to him, “Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.

Reflection: What is one area where you are tempted to rely on your savings, possessions, or status for security? How can you intentionally place your trust in God’s provision today?

Day 4: Generosity Reflects the Abundance of Christ

God blesses us so that we can bless others, and true wealth is found in using our resources to serve and love our neighbors. The abundance of Christ is not meant to be hoarded, but shared—just as Jesus fed the multitudes with more than enough, so too are we called to open our hands in generosity. Whether it’s sponsoring a child, meeting a need, or simply being generous with your time and attention, your actions can reflect the love and provision of Christ to a world in need. [28:30]

Matthew 14:19-20 (ESV)
Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over.

Reflection: Who is one person or group you can bless with your resources this week, reflecting the generosity of Christ? What specific action can you take to meet a need?

Day 5: Our Inheritance in Christ Is Abundant and Eternal

The greatest treasure we possess is not material wealth, but the inheritance we have in Christ—a gift that never fades, satisfies forever, and is available in abundance to all who believe. God promises to shepherd, rescue, and provide for His people, separating the humble from the proud and offering eternal riches to those who trust in Him. As image bearers of Christ, we are called to live out this reality, storing up treasures in heaven through faith and love, and rejoicing in the unending provision of our Savior. [25:22]

Ezekiel 34:20-24 (ESV)
Therefore, thus says the Lord God to them: Behold, I, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. Because you push with side and shoulder, and thrust at all the weak with your horns, till you have scattered them abroad, I will rescue my flock; they shall no longer be a prey. And I will judge between sheep and sheep. And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them. I am the Lord; I have spoken.

Reflection: How does knowing your inheritance in Christ changes the way you view your possessions and your purpose? What is one way you can live today with eternity in mind?

Sermon Summary

We live in a nation of extraordinary wealth, yet it’s easy to lose sight of how truly rich we are—not just in material terms, but in the spiritual inheritance we have through Christ. Even those earning what seems like a modest income by American standards are among the wealthiest globally. But the real question is not about how much we have, but where our treasure truly lies. Earthly riches are fleeting; they corrode, decay, and can never provide the security or satisfaction our souls crave. James warns us that when we place our hope in money, we are building our lives on a foundation that will not last. Instead, we are called to store up treasures in heaven, to invest in what is eternal, and to remember that our true wealth is found in Christ.

James’ words, though directed at unbelieving wealthy landowners of his time, are deeply relevant for us today. We may not be guilty of the same injustices, but the temptations are similar: to make money an idol, to seek security in our bank accounts, to use wealth selfishly, or to forget that all we have is God’s. Even small compromises—like misusing time at work or neglecting generosity—reveal how easily our hearts can drift from God’s priorities. The antidote is not to reject wealth, but to steward it faithfully, recognizing that God blesses us so we can bless others. Our joy and security must be rooted in Him, not in what we possess.

The abundance we have is not just for our own comfort, but to reflect Christ’s generosity to a world in need. Whether it’s sponsoring a child, supporting missions, or simply being open-handed with what we have, we are called to be conduits of God’s love and provision. The riches of Christ are inexhaustible—He is the well that never runs dry. As we remember His sacrifice and provision, especially in communion, we are invited to realign our hearts, to trade the temporary for the eternal, and to live as people whose treasure is truly in heaven.

Key Takeaways

1. Earthly riches are deceptive and fleeting, but heavenly treasures endure forever. When we focus on accumulating wealth for its own sake, we risk building our lives on a foundation that will ultimately fail us. True security and satisfaction are found only in Christ, whose riches never corrode or fade. [02:04]
2. Money becomes an idol when it takes the place of God in our hearts—when our thoughts, decisions, and sense of well-being revolve around it. Even subtle forms of idolatry, like obsessing over financial security or allowing money to dictate our joy, reveal where our true allegiance lies. Joy rooted in Christ is unshakable, regardless of our financial circumstances. [09:28]
3. Faithful stewardship means recognizing that all we have belongs to God, and that even small acts of dishonesty or neglect—like misusing time at work or withholding generosity—are significant in His eyes. Details matter to God, and our integrity in handling money reflects our reverence for Him. Generosity and honesty are acts of worship, not just obligations. [13:13]
4. Wealth is not inherently sinful, but trusting in it for security is a grave mistake. The biblical examples of Abraham, Job, and others show that it is possible to be both wealthy and faithful, provided our trust remains in God and not in our possessions. Money can be a tool for blessing others, but it must never become our source of hope or identity. [16:22]
5. The abundance we receive is meant to overflow into the lives of others, demonstrating the love and generosity of Christ. Our Christian life is not about self-indulgence, but about being image-bearers who reflect God’s heart for the world. When we redirect even a portion of our resources to meet the needs of others, we participate in storing up eternal treasures and making the gospel visible. [21:35]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:09] - Counting Our Blessings: Global Wealth Perspective
[02:04] - The True Measure of Riches
[03:08] - James’ Audience: Then and Now
[05:26] - Trading Eternal for Temporary Riches
[06:39] - Reading James 5:1-6
[08:06] - Money as an Idol
[09:28] - The Joy That Money Can’t Buy
[11:03] - A Call for Change: Aligning with God’s Will
[13:13] - Faithful Stewardship and Integrity
[15:03] - Wealth, Security, and Biblical Examples
[17:03] - The Parable of the Rich Fool
[18:53] - Redirecting Selfishness: Generosity and Debt
[20:42] - Blessing Others with God’s Blessings
[21:35] - Living as Image Bearers: Love in Action
[24:36] - Ezekiel’s Prophecy and Christ’s Abundance
[26:41] - Jesus, the True Treasure
[29:56] - Open Hands: Generosity and Contentment
[31:52] - Practical Generosity: Redirecting Earthly Pleasures
[32:54] - Communion: Remembering Christ’s Abundant Provision

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

James 5:1-6 (ESV) — Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.
Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten.
Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days.
Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.
You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.
You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.

Observation Questions

According to James 5:1-6, what are some of the specific warnings James gives to the rich? What kinds of actions does he call out?
In the sermon, what examples were given of how people today might “obtain money wrongly” or misuse what God has given them? ([13:13])
What does the sermon say about the difference between having wealth and trusting in wealth? ([16:22])
How does the sermon describe the purpose of the abundance God gives us? ([20:42])

Interpretation Questions

Why does James use such strong language (“weep and howl,” “miseries,” “corroded,” “evidence against you”) when talking to the rich? What is he trying to communicate about the seriousness of misplaced trust?
The sermon mentions that even small acts like misusing time at work or neglecting generosity matter to God. Why do you think “details matter to God” when it comes to how we handle money? ([13:13])
The sermon says, “We are called to be conduits of God’s love and provision.” What does it mean to be a conduit, and how is that different from just being a recipient? ([21:35])
The sermon points out that wealth is not inherently sinful, but trusting in it is a grave mistake. How can someone tell if they are trusting in their wealth rather than in God? ([16:22])

Application Questions

The sermon says that even those with modest incomes in America are among the wealthiest in the world. How does this perspective change the way you view your own resources and lifestyle? ([01:09])
Are there areas in your life where you might be tempted to find security or identity in money or possessions rather than in Christ? What would it look like to shift your trust back to God in those areas? ([09:28])
The sermon challenges us to consider even small compromises, like misusing time at work or withholding generosity. Is there a specific habit or action in your life that you sense God wants you to change in this area? ([13:13])
The pastor shared about sponsoring a child as a way to use abundance to bless others. Is there a practical way you could redirect some of your spending to meet a need or support God’s work? ([21:35])
When you receive extra money (a bonus, a gift, a tax refund), what is your first thought about how to use it? How could you intentionally make generosity your first response? ([18:53])
The sermon says, “Our Christian life isn’t about self-indulgence, but about being image-bearers who reflect God’s heart for the world.” What is one way you could reflect Christ’s generosity this week in your family, workplace, or community? ([21:35])
As you take communion or remember Christ’s sacrifice, how can you use that moment to realign your heart and priorities away from temporary things and toward eternal treasures? ([32:54])

Sermon Clips

We take money with us wherever we go, don't we? We build temples that keep our little G God secure. Banks. We have dedicated apps that we check every single day for this God. Little G God, that is. This idol consumes our minds, our thoughts, and our actions. [00:09:08] (28 seconds) #LittleGGodIdolatry

Money won't make you happy, but not having any certainly makes it hard to be joyful, yes? That's a question. That's a real question. Does the lack of money make it hard to be joyful? Only when we are worshiping this little G God, also called Mammon, will that question be true. Our joy comes from the Lord alone. And it's not subject to any circumstance. Not having money is a circumstance. [00:09:36] (45 seconds) #JoyBeyondCircumstances

Loved ones, money is no security that cannot be made unsecure in a single moment. Don't be a fool. Money cannot save your soul and money does not grant you sovereignty or in other words, money does not grant you control. [00:17:42] (22 seconds) #MoneyDoesNotControl

God blesses us so that we can bless others. That is what James is teaching us and without stating it plainly, he's exclaiming that true wealth is found in eternal treasures of heaven, not in temporary riches of this world. [00:20:49] (24 seconds) #BlessedToBlessOthers

Our Christian life isn't about us. My Christian life isn't about me. Martin Luther emphasized righteousness comes from outside of ourselves. He concludes in his theology of extra nos, which is Latin meaning outside of us, that believers do not live in themselves, but in Christ by faith and in their neighbors by love. [00:22:23] (32 seconds) #FaithBeyondSelf

Love is an action, my friends, and true faith bears good fruit. We are mighty warriors of God, each and every one of us. Even if you don't think that, it doesn't make it untrue. We are a threat to the evil in this world. We are equipped for good works by the good work supplier himself. The one with the cattle on a thousand hills. We are to worship him. We are to bless others. We are to be generous, fair, honest, content, and joyful. [00:23:10] (37 seconds) #WarriorsEquippedByGod

The good news is, through Christ, we receive an inheritance that never fades. Abundant, eternal riches that satisfy forever. Or if you like the saying a lot, forever. [00:24:11] (19 seconds) #EternalInheritanceInChrist

Jesus is the real treasure, loved ones. In this passage, we see him separating, see God separating the rich, unbelieving, and hard hearts from the poor and the humble. Or as the text stated in Ezekiel, the fat sheep from the lean sheep. [00:26:12] (22 seconds) #JesusTheTrueTreasure

``The world says rely on your own riches and Jesus says rest in his. Now in view of our king's provision, we employ the truth that the riches of Christ are open hands, not closed fists. And these are marked by generosity, contentment, and trust in God's provision. [00:29:22] (32 seconds) #OpenHandsNotClosedFists

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