When economies are in a recession, the value of paper money goes down. Lately, a growing number of financial experts are cautioning us of a global financial meltdown. And the debt debacle of these last few weeks has shown us all how little it would take for the world’s money system to crash. Thus, many people are buying gold as a hedge against worthless currency. But according to James, in the end times, that will be useless. “Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted...Your gold and silver are corroded” (James 5:1-2).
In spite of all of this, notice how, after condemning the rich, James counseled believers to wait patiently for the Lord’s coming. (James 5:7-8) He was not only talking to the people of his era, but to ours as well. The uncertainty of world financial markets, when added to the other signs we see, tells us that the Lord’s return for His Church may happen sooner than later.
Do you wonder if Jesus were your financial adviser, what He might say? Well, He has already spoken on the matter. "I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich…” (Rev. 3:18). And what is the gold tested by fire Jesus speaks of? It is our faith, likened to gold that has been fully purified though patience and endurance: “These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold…” (1 Peter 1:7)
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