1 What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you? 2 You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures.

4 You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think the Scripture says without reason that the Spirit He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy? 6 But He gives us more grace. This is why it says:

“God opposes the proud,
but gives grace to the humble.”

7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Omar Dewan

Over 5 years ago, I was reading the Bible with a friend who was helping me as I investigated Christianity. I can’t remember how this topic came up, but one question I asked was whether it was “allowed” that a rich Christian could spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a Lamborghini, stick on lots of St Barnabas and Jesus stickers, and use that to prompt conversations with non-believers. What an effective evangelism tool that would be, right?!

I was reminded of this conversation as I read today’s passage from James 4, because it points towards how I would now answer the Lamborghini question. Part of the answer comes down to the “passions at war” within us (verse 1), with the key point in verse 4: “You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.” So really, aside from whether it is actually the most optimal use of money (the economist in me says definitely not), is buying a St Barnabas-branded Lamborghini really an act of submission to God, or is it using God to indulge in the rich person’s worldly passions and desires?

Last year I wrestled with my own worldly desire in the form of career and promotions. I had been consistently performing at the next level at work, however factors outside my control meant that only a very small number of people got promoted. I was very disappointed, but through discussions with fellow brothers in Christ I was encouraged to understand what the drivers of my passions were. I recognised that my pride was a key driver in my desire for a promotion and was challenged, in line with verses 7 and 10, to submit and humble myself before God. He is the ultimate, good author and ruler of the world, who has given us His Spirit to dwell in us (verse 5). Ultimately, I reflected on the incredible source of joy and peace that truth brings – much greater than what any career promotion could ever promise. Surely, thanks be to God for that!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Omar is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.