Can Blessings be a Trial?

Do you find yourself in the midst of blessings? Your marriage is strong. Your children seem to coast along. Everything is going well at work. Your health is decent. Finances are sufficient to pay the bills. Friendships seem to be easy and fun. Overall, life is going your way and you couldn't be happier. Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

According to James 1:9-15, it is both. In these seminal verses, James says that poverty and riches are a trial. Both blessing and hardship are equally tempting. If you don't believe me, read this from James 1:9-11.

The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wildflower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.

According to James, there ARE two kinds of trials; adversity and prosperity. Have you ever thought about trials in this way? If not, you should. All of those wonderful blessings in your life open a vat of temptation as wide as the hardships.

I have heard it said that the most troubling life is the life without trouble.

With that in mind, let's try these questions again. Is your life coasting along? Are your relationships unhindered? Does your spouse think you hung the moon? Do your children hang on every word that flows from your mouth with humble and prompt obedience? Are your finances and future retirement plans secure? If so, be vigilant. You are highly susceptible to the schemes of the Evil One and his schemes are most likely passive. He sits back and watches ungodly pride, confidence and self-sufficiency do their dirty work.

James wasn't the first one to highlight the challenges brought upon us by blessings. When the children of Israel were delivered from slavery in Egypt and moved into the promised land, they were told this by Yahweh in Deuteronomy 6:10-12;

When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you--a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant--then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

Wow! You can pick up your Bible and keep reading the history of Israel. This is exactly what they did time and time again. This is a warning that is too often unheeded by those who are experiencing a season of blessing. It is why the apostle Paul's counsel to give thanks all the time is so critical. Thanksgiving is a tangible expression of gratitude for God's grace. We don't deserve good things, yet in God's goodness and grace He allows us to enjoy blessings. Jesus is the greatest of blessings. We would never think to presume we deserve his mercy. James, Paul and the rest of Scripture are cautioning us against thinking that we deserve any good thing. We don't, but He gives them anyway.

Every good thing you are enjoying right now is a gift that you do not deserve. So take a moment and enumerate the many blessings in your life. Let the weight of them bring you to your knees in humble gratitude. If you do, this is the surest way to fight against pride and self-sufficiency.

Blessings are a trial that can lead to pride or gratitude. Which is it for you right now?

Copyright © 2014 Timothy S. Lane. All rights reserved.