Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.
-James 5:1-6
Money is the topic Jesus taught more about than anything else in the Gospels. It’s not most people’s favorite topic, but it mattered a lot to Jesus! When we think about money now, it’s easy to get lost in all of the advice, tools, and resources. How much do we save? Money’s tight, so how much do I give? How can I afford all of my bills this month? For all the questions we have about money, there’s wisdom we can find in Scripture.
In this passage of James, he’s giving a warning to the rich. It’s not the happiest of passages, but it teaches us one thing: we are not meant to hoard wealth on earth. It serves a literal purpose that we’re not meant to hoard money for ourselves. We are called to make a difference in our community. We do this by tithing or giving what we can—think of this as giving your first and best. It also serves a spiritual meaning: our purpose and identity are not found in what we have on earth. When this is true, it’s easier to look beyond ourselves to serve. This goes back to what we’re called to do: make a difference.
When Jesus is Lord of your money, you’ll find it impacts more than just yourself. Instead of hoarding, you’re giving; instead of self-indulging, you’re serving; instead of finding your identity in money, you’re reminded that your identity can only come from God.
So, how is Jesus Lord of your money? How can you use your first and best to make a difference?
Join us online this December 29th for a unique 12Stone Church service as we look back on all God has done in 2024 and look forward to what He has in store for 2025! Together, we’ll reflect, remember, and celebrate His faithfulness. Grab your phone and Bible, and let’s pause to thank God for this past year while preparing our hearts for the year ahead. This special online-only service will encourage and inspire you as we step into a new season with faith and hope
The Christmas season brings peace, joy, and hope through Jesus. However, we often feel fear, worry, and anxiety because we idolize control instead of trusting the King of Kings. Our response to unexpected events reveals who we trust. In Scripture, King Herod clung to control, while Joseph, despite his fear, trusted God's plan. Joseph's story shows that fear can lead us to trust God rather than seek control.
Have you ever really wanted something—whether it was that relationship, that career, or that dream vacation—and once you got it, it didn’t satisfy you the way you thought it would? You convinced yourself that if you could just have that one thing, everything would fall into place, and you’d feel fulfilled. But when you finally reached it, you still felt like something was missing. We've all been there, haven’t we? We all have moments—sometimes fleeting, sometimes years long—when a sense of emptiness creeps in, leaving us wondering, “Is this it?” We get weary, discontent, and restless. But what if that very emptiness, that longing in your soul, is not a sign of failure, but an invitation? What if it’s God’s way of telling us that we were made for more—more than what this world can offer? What if this empty feeling is actually a gift from Him, an alarm in our hearts that signals we need to look beyond the temporary and seek the eternal? You were made for more than this world; you were made for a relationship with God!
Do you feel like life lacks meaning or purpose? Often, a self-centered approach can lead us into fear, worry, and isolation, pulling us away from the abundant life God intended. But there’s a better way—one rooted in radical generosity. At the heart of God’s design is a call to live a life modeled after His Kingdom—a life of generosity, connection, and trust in His provision. Discover what it means to embrace “Garden living,” where we return to God’s original plan and reflect His character in our everyday lives. Join us on this transformative journey and learn how Jesus invites us to experience the fullness of life through radical generosity!
In an isolated society where we want to pretend like we have it all together, it can be so hard to ask for help. Jesus stepped into our mess of a world and said He would give us HOLY HELP. The only way He can give us holy help is if we lean into His teachings. It’s not enough for us just to just want to be better, we have to actually practice daily rhythms that will help cement us into Kingdom culture characteristics. The important thing is that we are pouring the right thing into our hearts and not what the things that could hurt us. God gave us Scripture to show us exactly what we needed to follow! Help is here!
An anchor is defined as a person or thing that can be relied on for support, stability or security. The HOPE found in the Kingdom of God is anchored in the person of Jesus—our KING. Firm and secure, He breathes hope into the storms of life and connects us in a bond of unity that cannot be broken.
The Kingdom of God is full of HOPE. Unwavering hope is the belief that despite your past, Jesus can redeem your future. Hope is a major theme throughout the Bible because it is the core of the Gospel. Hope waters your soul and gives you strength and security for your future. When you put your hope in our risen Savior, it spills over into your marriages, families, careers, and future.
Hospitality isn’t just about sharing a meal or having a spotless home; it’s about inviting others into our lives, even the messy parts, so they can see Jesus in us. Southern hospitality says, 'Come on in and make yourself at home,' and that’s the heart of Christ too! When we welcome others with love and openness, we make them feel valued and seen – just as God welcomes us. Let’s look for ways to show that same love and let our homes and hearts be a reflection of Jesus. Who can you invite in to experience His love today?
