* Money is useful when you possess it, but useless when it possesses you.

* James was warning those who were rich in possessions because he knew you had to be poor in spirit to accept Christ.

* How do you know when you are possessed by money?

* When WANT enters the picture.

* Psalms 23 says “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not WANT.”

* So what do we do?

* Recognize two things about your money:

* 1) It has a FUTURE (vs 1-3).

* When you look into the future you see that your money means nothing.

* It will ultimately burn up.

* Knowing your money has a future will help you spend it wisely in the present.

* 2) It has a FACE (vs 4-6).

* These rich people looked away from those they could bless.

* They looked to themselves.

* Knowing the faces of the people you can bless with your money will help you spend it wisely on others.