James 5 - The Player Coach

The best kind of coaches are those that the entire team knows that they have experienced the ups and downs of the game.  The players know for certain that the coach is willing to fight for them, for their benefit.  In my hockey career, as unremarkable as it was, I had all sorts of coaches, from the horrendous (seriously) to the grossly incompetent self-promoter.  The best coaches love not just the game, but selflessly love the players.  The Reggie Dunlops and the Ted Lassos - they are a rare breed.  It’s much more common to find coaches who talk a good game, but by their actions, you can see that it is all about them, their salary, their record, etc.  For them, the players are a commodity to be used.  The players know it.  So does God.

Our Lord God, and I don’t mean any irreverence here, is the ultimate player-coach.  Jesus leads by example.  He always has.  The reason James tells us to show our faith by our actions is because Jesus taught James (as He teaches us today) that He reveals His glory by what He does.

Wisdom can make you very rich.  And in turn, your riches can make you very proud.  Think of the ill-fated prince of Tyre (Ezekiel 28).  Just like that long-forgotten prince, we too need to be mindful of wandering away from the truth of Jesus Christ (5:19).  We have lots of little princes as modern-day examples.  Beware of pride and selfishness.  Many men, much stronger and wiser and more clever than me have been corrupted by the love of splendor.  Oh, the power of the shiny object.

Indeed, wealth and riches are a blessing and a curse.  The outcome depends on what we do with the resources (time, talent, and treasure) that pass through our hands in our lifetime.

        Stop comparing yourself to others.  We are blessed beyond measure.  Make no mistake, God’s purpose and His end always prevail.  As does God’s justice.

        We are amazed at God’s grace.  Without God’s patience, we’d be lost.  It is only by God showing His love to us daily that we can live our lives by His plans, and purposes and not our own.  May our plans be aligned with the Almighty’s.  Thy will be done, Lord Jesus!

The Bible’s theme and admonition of ‘Responsibility’ is flashing on the screen in this chapter.  We are asked what we have done with our lives and what we intend to do today.  What have we invested in?  Have we given and cared for anyone other than ourselves?  Have we cared for the sick and the poor as Jesus does?

The Bible says that people build their resources, their homes, and their treasures by wisdom, godly wisdom.  And we ruin our lives by our own foolishness.

We are told here that our foolishness includes what we don’t do.  The sins of omission.  The sin of accumulating here for luxury, pleasure, and for selfish ambition.  The ancient tragedy.  As we'll find out next time God's way is better.  And as the Saskatchewanian farmer knows there is a bountiful harvest coming, so let's get planting.

Lord Jesus, thank you for the message of James.  Thank you for your powerful holy Word for it has the power to save our souls.  We read your instructions in this final chapter of James and we take them to heart.

        We’ve read how we are to resist the devil; we will do that today.  Pray pray that you will ensure Satan indeed does flee from us.  Please help us to use our resources wisely today.   Help us to be great player-coaches, mentors, parents, and servant leaders. Help us to do what is costly and that has eternal gain.  Help us to know your will today and to help those who are praying and seeking after you in spirit and truth.  Amen.

With one day old Beckett.