Thinking about "How Then Should we Live" Issues 3

I started studying the book of James the other day. I've been reading and studying the Bible for many years and I know I have probably read the book of James at least twenty times, if not more. This time I decided to study it because of some of the verses from James that I have been using on this blog and some other things I've been writing. In continuing to think and pray about how to go about life here in America I think James might be the book to study for a good dose of Biblical world-view and practical advice. Right off the bat in chapter 1 verse 5 James says "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking". I don't know about you but I feel a bit foolish that for so many years very few of these issues were on my radar. How could I have not known? How should I now respond?

I am in great need of wisdom but I want to be careful about where I find wisdom, I want to make sure I am seeking God's wisdom because I know it is easy for me to jump into a cause and feel so much passion to right the wrongs and "fix things" when it might be possible that a fix would not be in the best interest of the very people I have a desire to help. I know I have operated off of misdirected mercy before when I've jumped into something that looked like it would take care of a need. The biggest one that stands out to me was about eight or nine years or so ago when I gathered clothing for some very impoverished people in Romania. We sent over a huge amount of used clothing only to hear later that instead of providing warm winter clothing for children in some cases we were providing something for their parents to sell to buy vodka and had created a huge headache for the pastor who had to secure release of the goods and then get people to unload, store, sort, etc.

Here's a interesting thought; wealth is not the answer to poverty and success in God's economy has nothing to do with how much "stuff" one has. It's possible that when we get to heaven that many of the popular, powerful wealthy people will get asked to stand at the back of the crowd and then the biggest crowns will be passed out to those who in our culture's estimation would be considered impoverished nobodies who worked entirely under the fame radar. James says something else very interesting in chapter 1 verse 9. "Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field....In the same way the rich shall fade away with all of their achievements." The poor believers aren't rejoicing because they have little. Instead they are constantly aware of their dependence on God and His miraculous provision and are rejoicing in His care for them. We on the other had need to be humbled because we rely on our own provision and abilities to get us through each day. We do not see that it is God who keeps us and God who provides. We somehow believe that it is our own goodness, intelligence and abilities that keep us. Here's the big question for me - can I approach the issue of social justice in faith knowing that God is calling and fashioning me for being a part of His blessing to those in places of need or will I rush in with the idea that I have the resources, intellect and power to make a difference and tackle something out of my own strength?