Click For Audio Version
Rich in what?
Rich Oppressors Will Be Judged
Today we are to consider the question, Rich in what?
In Lesson 10, James deals with our tendency to judge and boast, a problem common to us at times. In today’s lesson, it would seem that he is only giving instructions to rich people. However, you will find that these verses deal with all of us at some level.
Wealth does not always bring happiness
First, the notion that wealth brings happiness is false.
Many of us believe that money and possessions will make us happy. Unfortunately, this idea is far from the truth. In fact, it is probably more likely that it will bring unhappiness.
If you look around you at those who seem to have everything, you will see that they are not usually happy. Instead, those who have a lot are preoccupied with keeping what they have and acquiring more. It seems that the more you have, the more you believe that you need.
Money becomes the driving force in your life—the desire for better clothes, a better car, and even a better home. As a result, you become centered on yourself.
James says, “5 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you!” James 5:1 NKJV
His point is that being rich usually is empty of any real value. But, on the other hand, having money enables a person to do a lot of good if they can stay focused on that goal. But, sadly, it often changes them and makes them even more self-centered.
Money also causes a person to become corrupt, and more willing to do little things that compromise their integrity. Therefore, it may not cause a person to commit a crime but to be less honest in dealing with others.
There is a price to pay
James says, 2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. James 5:2-3 NKJV
Rich in what?
In your last days, you don’t want this kind of treasure! Instead, you want something that will stand the test of time. Life on earth is a short span, and you need wealth stored up for eternity.
Jesus tells us the same thing in the following scripture, “19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Matthew 6:19-20 NKJV
Earthly riches corrupt
It is human nature to store things that you don’t need. We all do it! The problem with being rich is that you can acquire so much more that you can not use.
Buying more than we need is one of the reasons why rental storage units have become such an excellent investment. People store stuff that they will never see again.
As mentioned in James 5:3, these things will be a witness against you for all eternity. Therefore, what God has given you to help your neighbor and promote the Gospel is lying useless in storage. There will be a price to pay for this misuse.
Gold and silver
Today our gold and silver is paper money. Paper money is Federal Reserve Notes. The longer you keep them, the less they will buy. They do not rust or corrode, but they certainly lose their value as the Fed prints more.
Hefty bank accounts or vast estates mean nothing when life ends. No one has ever taken anything with them when they leave this life.
The Last days
James states,” You have heaped up treasure in the last days.” It is undoubtedly true. When your last days roll around, you will have treasures, but what will be their value? Will you want to stand before God with all you have to show for your life?
Jesus certainly makes clear a better plan. His plan avoids the temptation to misuse the poor to grow their wealth.
Gain from the poor
Gain from the poorIf you read your Bible, as you should, you will notice that God is concerned about the way we treat the poor, the working person. He says that the wealthy gain on the backs of the poor
People build fortunes on the backs of the poor. The question is rich in what goes through our minds.
You may not think that you are guilty of using the poor for personal gain. However, if you look at the history of man, you will find that the poor person has provided the power for most growth of wealth.
If we purchase what is made by slave labor, we are also guilty. For example, sometimes, we save a dollar or two by buying products without considering where they came from or who made them.
Verse 4 tells us God hears. 4 Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth (Host, Almighty). James 5:4 NKJV
We live in pleasure
Our poor in this country would be considered wealthy by most of the world. Yet we are taught to always strive for more. The idea of always looking for a better car or bigger house has become the standard.
We live in pleasure and luxury, and we suffer from fattened hearts. A standard of living that meets our physical needs is not enough. We want, and we want.
5 You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you. James 5:5-6 NKJV
James says that you condemn and murder the innocent, those who do not oppose you. The time will come when God will require an answer for your actions. He loves the poor and does not want them abused.
Conclusion:
Being rich brings unnecessary problems into our lives. We compound our troubles when we build our wealth on the backs of the poor or laborers.
As rich, we will have enjoyed our pleasure here on earth and can not expect a loving God to reward us for our selfish actions.
There are two kinds of treasures that we build in life. One is the kind James talks about, and the one is eternal treasures with God in heaven.
You can join us anytime. Following are links to the Previous Lessons from James: Faith Grows Through Trials – Lesson 1, Tempted by God – Lesson 2, Doers of the Word – Lesson 3, Impartial – Lesson 4, Faith – Works What Saves – Lesson 5, The Untamable Tongue – Lesson 6, Fighting and Quarreling – Lesson 7, Friendship with the World – Lesson 8, What is submission to God? – James Lesson 9, Judging and Boasting – James Lesson 10, Rich in What? – James Lesson 11, Be Patient and Persevering – James Lesson 12 and the last Critical Points of James – James Lesson 13