That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded. (James 1:7–8)
Expanded Passage: James 1:1-8
In 1961, a gentleman was looking to invest in art. While he considered pieces by Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollock, he chose to inquire of the artist M. C. Escher whether he would be willing to sell any of his art pieces. Escher agreed to sell two for thirty dollars apiece. Forty-four years later the gentleman had them appraised for insurance purposes. The first piece, called Belvedere, was appraised at $20,000. The second piece, known as Ascending and Descending, was given a value of $17,500. In 2017, his wife appeared on a television show that featured appraisers evaluating antiques and works of art. The appraiser looked at every detail on each of the pieces and concluded they were worth $50,000 apiece. Was the investment worth it? Based on the return, the answer is yes!
This week we have been studying the value of trials. Are they worth it? That depends on the return. Those who follow the commands that James has written will avoid the condition of those who receive nothing and are described as double-minded. A double-minded person is one who may pray on Sunday but on Monday pursues unethical solutions for their troubles. Thus, the reason they do not receive anything is because God does not bless sin. Again, are trials worth it? They are when the return is uninhibited access to our heavenly Father.
Write out ways that God refined you during a difficult time.
TJ Albertson has been pastoring for nineteen years, the last seventeen in interchurch service. He loves teaching the entire Bible and its relevance to life.
© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
