You can’t hold onto this world. That includes our wealth. Our treasure isn’t to be laid up on earth but in heaven.

This doesn’t mean it’s evil to have a bank account. The Scripture talks about the rich living in indulgence and defrauding their workers. You don’t build up yourself at the expense of others.

And if we are the ones sinned against, we don’t grumble. We suffer patiently. The farmer waits for the early and late rains for the fullness of the crop.

We want God’s fullness to come in.

We suffer patiently through this life, knowing that God’s purposes are being carried out and He is compassionate and merciful. He is good and loving.

But when we suffer, we pray. When we are cheerful, we praise. If we are sick, we ask for prayer.

The elders are shown offering a prayer in faith that saves the one who is sick and brings forgiveness. I do see this in connection to the teaching on communion about how some are sick because they aren’t discerning the Body. We treat the Body rightly. If we have sinned against the Church, we confess our faults to the elders and allow them to pray for us.

The prayers of a righteous person accomplish a lot. Live in the righteousness of Christ by faith and believe in the power of Christ working through your prayers.

Elijah was just a man. He prayed. He partnered with God.

It’s not your prayers that truly accomplish. It’s our powerful God who works, but He partners with us to bring things about. We participate in prayer, and we also can participate by teaching truth, bringing others back when they wander. God can use us to save souls and offer forgiveness. We serve a mighty God who works mighty works through His humble, submitted servants.