Trusting God Over Wealth: Lessons from James 4

Devotional

Day 1: True Wealth Is Not Found in Possessions

Many people believe that wealth is measured by possessions, but true richness is found in contentment and gratitude for what God has provided. The world constantly tells us we need more—newer cars, bigger houses, the latest gadgets—but this endless pursuit only erodes our satisfaction and distracts us from recognizing the blessings we already have. Even in times past, people struggled with the same desires, always wanting more and never feeling satisfied. The challenge is to pause and ask: am I truly content with what I have, and above all, am I satisfied with God? When we learn to appreciate what we have and trust in God's provision, we discover a deeper, lasting wealth that possessions can never provide. [07:55]

James 4:13-17 (ESV)
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel the pressure to have more, and how can you practice gratitude for what you already have today?

Day 2: Trust in God, Not in Material Security

It is easy to place our trust in what we can see and control—our savings, our possessions, our abilities—but these things are temporary and unreliable. In James’ time, people stored up wealth in cloth, grain, and metal, believing these would secure their future, yet all could be destroyed by moth, mold, or rust. The same is true today: no matter how much we accumulate, it can all be lost in an instant. Instead, God calls us to place our faith in Him, acknowledging that we do not know what tomorrow holds and cannot control the future. True security comes from trusting in God’s faithfulness, not in our own resources. [13:32]

Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Reflection: In what ways are you tempted to rely on your own resources or plans for security, and how can you intentionally shift your trust to God today?

Day 3: Generosity and Justice Reflect God’s Heart

God cares deeply about how we treat others, especially those in need or those who work for us. In ancient times, withholding a worker’s wages meant their family would go hungry, and God’s law was clear: do not withhold what is due. Today, we may not face the same situations, but we are still called to act justly and generously, refusing to benefit at the expense of others. Whether through fair treatment, generosity, or advocacy for the vulnerable, our actions should reflect the justice and compassion of Christ. When we give voice to the needy and act with integrity, we participate in God’s work of restoration and love in the world. [17:27]

Leviticus 19:13 (ESV)
“You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired worker shall not remain with you all night until the morning.”

Reflection: Who in your life or community could use your help or advocacy today, and what is one concrete step you can take to act justly or generously toward them?

Day 4: Contentment Is a Spiritual Discipline

Contentment does not come naturally; it is a discipline cultivated by the Holy Spirit as we learn to say, “I have enough.” The world encourages us to always want more, but God invites us to listen for His voice, reminding us when we have what we need. Like the Israelites in the wilderness, we can easily fall into the trap of complaining and longing for more, even when God has provided for us. Practicing contentment shifts our mindset, changes our attitudes, and becomes a powerful witness to those around us. When we are content, we are free to enjoy God’s gifts and to share them with others, knowing that our true satisfaction is found in Him. [27:49]

Philippians 4:11-13 (ESV)
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 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. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can practice contentment today, especially when you notice yourself wanting something new or better?

Day 5: Influence Others by Pointing to Jesus, Not Yourself

Our lives are meant to be a testimony to the transforming power of Jesus, not a showcase of our own goodness or achievements. Whether at work, in our neighborhoods, or within our families, we have the opportunity to gently influence others—not by boasting or drawing attention to ourselves, but by consistently pointing to what Jesus has done and is doing in us. Over time, a life marked by contentment, generosity, and trust in God will stand out, prompting others to ask what makes us different. In these moments, we can share the hope and joy we have in Christ, inviting others to experience His love and grace. [24:36]

Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Reflection: Who is someone in your life who needs to see the hope and contentment you have in Christ, and how can you intentionally point them to Jesus through your actions or words this week?

Sermon Summary

James’ words remind us that the human heart’s struggle with contentment is not new. Whether in ancient times or today, the desire for more—more wealth, more comfort, more security—remains a constant temptation. We live in a world that relentlessly tells us we need, want, and deserve more, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that satisfaction lies just beyond the next purchase or achievement. Yet, the call is not to bash wealth or those who have it, but to examine where our trust truly lies. Are we relying on our possessions, our plans, our networks, or are we truly trusting in God?

James challenges us to recognize that our lives are fragile and unpredictable. We can plan, save, and work hard, but ultimately, we do not control tomorrow. The real distinction between followers of Jesus and the world is not in our Sunday gatherings or religious activities, but in our radical trust in God. When we place our security in material things—whether it’s clothing, food, or wealth—we subtly tell God, “I’ve got this, I don’t need you.” But all these things are temporary; moth, mold, and rust will claim them in the end.

This passage also calls us to examine how we treat others, especially those who are vulnerable. In James’ day, withholding a day’s wage meant a family went hungry. Today, our “meanness” may look different, but the temptation to prioritize self over others remains. The Christian life is not about individual gain, but about building community, giving voice to the needy, and gently influencing those around us for good. True contentment is not found in the accumulation of things, but in a heart that can say, “I have enough,” and in a life that trusts God for both today and tomorrow.

As we reflect, may the Holy Spirit teach us to recognize when we have enough, to be grateful for what we have, and to let our contentment be a witness to those around us. In a world obsessed with more, may we be a people marked by gratitude, generosity, and deep trust in Jesus Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. True Contentment Comes from Trusting God Contentment is not the result of having more, but of trusting God with what we have. When we look to possessions or achievements for satisfaction, we find they are fleeting. Only by placing our faith in God—who knows our needs and holds our future—can we experience lasting peace and gratitude. [12:18]
2. Wealth Is Not Evil, but Trusting in It Is Dangerous Scripture does not condemn wealth itself, but warns against making it our source of security. When we rely on our resources, we subtly push God to the margins of our lives. The challenge is to hold our possessions loosely, recognizing their impermanence, and to keep our trust anchored in Christ. [14:46]
3. Community and Generosity Over Individual Gain God’s people are called to prioritize community and care for the vulnerable, rather than pursuing individual advancement at others’ expense. Whether through fair treatment, generosity, or advocacy, our faith is shown in how we treat those in need. This is a practical outworking of the gospel in daily life. [22:39]
4. The Holy Spirit Teaches Us When We Have Enough Just as our bodies signal when we are full, the Spirit can teach us to recognize when we have enough materially. Cultivating this spiritual sensitivity leads to gratitude and frees us from the endless cycle of wanting more. It also transforms our witness, as others see a peace and contentment that cannot be bought. [25:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:07] - Context of James 4 and 5
[02:47] - Not About Economic Systems
[03:50] - Who Is “Rich”?
[05:03] - The Culture of “More”
[07:01] - Discontentment: Then and Now
[08:35] - Lessons from Israel’s Wilderness
[11:07] - Wealth in the Bible
[12:18] - Trusting God, Not Ourselves
[14:46] - The Futility of Material Security
[16:07] - Injustice and Withholding Wages
[19:27] - Community vs. Individualism
[20:40] - Six Practical Applications
[22:39] - Giving Voice to the Needy
[25:16] - Learning to Say “Enough”
[27:16] - The Danger of Complaining
[29:13] - Lasting Gratitude and Praise

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

James 4:13–5:6 (ESV) —
> 13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— 14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
>
> 1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. 2 Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. 3 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. 4 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. 5 You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.

Observation Questions

According to James, what are some of the ways people in his time tried to secure their future or find security? (see James 4:13–5:3)
What does James say about the uncertainty of life and our ability to control tomorrow? (James 4:14)
In the sermon, what examples were given of how people today might place their trust in possessions or achievements instead of God? [14:46]
How did withholding a day’s wage affect families in James’ day, and why was this such a serious issue? [17:27]

Interpretation Questions

Why does James warn against making plans without considering God’s will? What does this reveal about our attitude toward God and our own abilities? (James 4:13–15)
The sermon mentioned that wealth itself is not condemned, but trusting in it is dangerous. Why is trusting in wealth or possessions so tempting, and what are the spiritual dangers? [14:46]
How does prioritizing individual gain over community and generosity contradict the message of the gospel, according to James and the sermon? [19:27]
The sermon described the Israelites’ discontentment in the wilderness. What does their story teach us about human nature and our struggle with contentment? [08:35]

Application Questions

The sermon said, “When we place our security in material things... we subtly tell God, ‘I’ve got this, I don’t need you.’” ([14:46]) Are there areas in your life where you are tempted to rely on your own resources or plans instead of trusting God? What would it look like to shift your trust to Him this week?
Think about your daily habits—social media, shopping, career, or even family. Where do you notice the “I need, I want, I deserve more” mindset showing up? ([05:03]) How can you practice saying, “I have enough” in those moments?
The sermon challenged us to hold our possessions loosely and recognize their impermanence. ([14:46]) Is there something you own or desire that has too strong a hold on your heart? What practical step could you take to loosen your grip?
James calls us to care for the vulnerable and not prioritize self over others. ([22:39]) Is there someone in your life or community who could use your help, encouragement, or advocacy this week? What is one specific thing you could do for them?
The pastor said, “Have the Holy Spirit tell you when you have had enough.” ([25:16]) How can you become more sensitive to the Spirit’s leading in recognizing when you have enough—whether it’s with money, possessions, or even your time?
The sermon described how contentment can be a witness to others. ([28:29]) Has anyone ever noticed your contentment or gratitude? How might your attitude toward “enough” influence your family, friends, or coworkers?
Looking back at the Israelites’ story, they had everything they needed but still complained. ([27:16]) What are some ways you can cultivate gratitude for what you have right now, even if it’s not perfect or what you hoped for?

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Trusting God Over Wealth: Lessons from James 4–5