We live in a world where the headlines are increasingly filled with violence, chaos, and spiritual darkness. From the earliest days of the church, believers faced bloodlust, persecution, and injustice. That hasn’t changed. What has changed is how close to home it feels. Every day we’re reminded that evil is real, and that we are caught in the middle of a spiritual battle.

The recent death of Charlie Kirk is one more reminder that the times we live in are marked by hostility and grief. For many, his tragedy raises the question: how do we hold on to faith after the Charlie Kirk tragedy and countless other heartbreaking events?

As believers in Jesus, the answer is the same as it has always been. We stay vigilant, not vengeful. Hopeful, not hopeless. And above all, we repent and keep our eyes fixed on eternity.

That’s where James 1:9–11 speaks with so much clarity. He reminds us that both the poor and the rich have reasons to boast—not in themselves, but in God. “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.”

We don’t usually think about poverty as an honor or wealth as a humbling, but that’s exactly the perspective God gives us. Both lack and abundance can bring pressure. Both can test our faith. Poverty forces us to lean on God’s provision. Wealth reminds us that everything we have is temporary and entrusted to us. Either way, the goal isn’t the money—it’s becoming more like Jesus.

That means shifting our perspective:

• When the world feels violent and unstable, we remember eternity is secure in Christ.

• When money feels tight, we don’t worry—we trust God to provide.

• When blessings overflow, we don’t worship them—we humbly use them for good.

Jesus put it simply: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Our hearts follow what we value. That’s why stewardship, generosity, and giving matter so much. Money is temporary, but how we use it can have eternal impact.

The early church understood this. They faced persecution, scarcity, and constant opposition, yet their faith only grew stronger. Today, we’re called to the same kind of faith. Not a faith that depends on perfect circumstances, but one that trusts God in pressure-filled times.

So whether you feel broke or blessed, worried or weary, the invitation is the same: shift your trust back to God. Evil and injustice won’t have the last word. Financial highs and lows won’t last forever. Eternity levels everything. And in the end, it’s better to be faithful than to be rich.