9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:  10 But the rich, in that he is made low:  because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.   11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth:  so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. (James 1:9-11 KJV)

Do I want to be rich? Some time ago, I thought I did but later changed my mind. I’m not crazy nor stupid. I rather be the way I am. A modest person with just enough to live in comfort. What would I do with the extra money? In the first place, how would I honestly make the money that deems me rich? If I were rich, how would I live in peace, without my phone ringing off the hook? How would I live without people trying to scam me, cheat me, rob me? I would forever be in distress, misery. I have been the happiest when I didn’t have a coin in my pocket because no one was asking for money nor was I tempted to buy anything that I really didn’t need but there was enough that everything was paid. I sleep well.

James talk about being poor and being rich. It amounts to the same thing. The poor is exalted before God. The rich holds onto his money and is always attempting to get richer. He can’t take it with him when he dies. He will surly die. Like everything, nothing is forever, and neither is the rich person. The rich person, having a lot of wealth and wanting to have more and more self-inflicted fun, will soon find the devil, the demon of demons, trouble. Just open the papers, twitter, or whatever news medium desired and stories of bad situations that rich people have done is reported. Things that many poor people wish they had the money to do, not thinking about the life after death nor is the rich thinking about that either.

12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation:  for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God:  for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:  14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.   15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin:  and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.   16 Do not err, my beloved brethren. (James 1:12-16 KJV)

James go on about temptation. Most temptations involve money (riches) in some way. Some may want to be richer and receive help knowing the help is wrong in some way. The devil then has you. You have forsaken God and given yourself to temptation, money and debauchery (I know I promised not to use big words, but it explains James 1:14-15). As I look at the present governmental people (which include Congress), I see much money, temptation, lies, and all other things Jesus have said not to do because God say death is the penalty. They will not take it with them, and neither will whomever they leave the riches to. Read the Bible, it is written.