Don't be talking about my money, James

Don’t be talking about my money, James.  James 5.1-6

Googled “tis a difficult saying, who can abide it?” because that is the only way I could think to start today’s Morning Briefing . . . funny thing that— ‘guess what came up?  Try it - Copy and paste:  Tis a difficult saying, who can abide it?   Ha.  (I tried it a couple times, and it was “Do you think God chose you?” by moi with that same quote from John 6.)

James is speaking to the wicked wealthy – first, the passage—“God, give us your understanding, oh please.”

“Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags.  Your gold and silver have become worthless. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This treasure you have accumulated will stand as evidence against you on the day of judgment.  For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The wages you held back cry out against you. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.

  You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter.  You have condemned and killed innocent people, who do not resist you.”   James 5.1-6

Please note:  James is not teaching that God hates rich people; he is however teaching about the responsibility that belongs to those who have material wealth.   Hmmm . . . What does God require of Christians to do with their money?  Christians ought to be generous, because God loves cheerful givers¹—and because, ‘to whom much is given, much will be required’².   We are to take care of the poor and needy, including widows and children³-- to give to the work of the Lord, and to take care of people who minister⁴.    

Before going on, let’s get another view, this from the NIV:  “Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.”  The lesson? Keep your priorities straight; your material goods are all fleeting.  And even if they last for your lifetime, you cannot take them with you into your next life . . . not even your 401-ks.  Focus on that which really lasts – Invest yourself in faith and love, as they will pay dividends for eternity!

“Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.  You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.”  Injustice toward another person is inexcusable, James makes it clear; gaining more wealth off the sweat labor of someone else is reprehensible.

And one more thing: James pulls no punches---it will not go well for those who have oppressed others because the Lord sees and hears all.  Nothing escapes him.  “KONY 2012” has gone viral, I am sure most know that by now, bringing to light the heinous behavior of the Ugandan warlord, and the plight of invisible children; but make no mistake, his treacherous, reprehensible crimes had been on the Lord’s radar long ago.  ‘It will be better for a millstone to be tied around his neck and be thrown into the deepest sea than to harm a young child . . .’⁵

It was Jesus who said that, and it is Jesus’ words which are like sweet honey and give us good reason to be a people of great generosity~ “Give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”⁶ 

Accept the grace,

Christine

1 - 2 Corinthians 9.7

2 - Luke 12.48

3 - Matthew 25.31-46

4 - Galatians 6.6

5 - Luke 17.2

6 – Luke 6.38