James (W10D4) The Interests of Others
Week 10. Thursday: The Interests of Others
PRAY: Ask God to speak to you from His Word.
READ: James 5
5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.
UNDERSTAND: get a deeper understanding of the key words
Begin by underlining nouns with a single line, double underline verbs, and circle descriptive words.
Make a list of the keys words/phrases and think about what they mean.
Snapshot: The third danger of the love of money is self_indulgence. Self-indulgent is defined as: “characterized by doing or tending to do exactly what one wants, especially when this involves pleasure or idleness.” How often do we get so wrapped up in our pleasure that we completely neglect those around us? We often feel we deserve to get whatever it is we want. We are willing to go into debt, damage relationships or ignore responsibilities so we can get what we want. The problem with self-indulgence is that it’s for us to see in ourselves. We hide behind excuses like i work hard, I deserve this or everyone else has one --until we are so self-absorbed the needs of others are completely off our radar. Needs are everywhere around us. When we become self-absorbed we fail to see it. If we do not see it we will not be bothered by it. And, if we are not bothered by we will never do anything about it. The bible calls each of us to look not only at our own interests but to the interests of others. How much time do we really spend considering the needs of others?
APPLY: What is this passage calling me to do?
Make a list of some ways I selfishly use my money and possessions?
Read Philippians 2:3-11. Write down what it would be like to value others over yourself.
Challenge: Make a list of some of things you have that could be used to help others. What would you have to change to start using these things to help others?
PRAY: Ask God to make you aware of the place where you are self-indulgent. Pray for God to help you see how to be increasingly concerned with the needs of those around you.
