James 5:1-6

Passage

Pay attention, now, the ones who are rich.  While making loud cries of sorrow, weep upon the troubles that are coming upon you.  Your wealth has rotted and your clothing has become eaten by moths.  Your gold and your silver have tarnished.  Their oxidation will be a testimony to you and it will consume your flesh as a fire.  Behold, the wages of the workers who cut down the grass of your fields – which have been deprived from them by you – cry out.  And the shouts of the ones who reap the harvest have come into the ear of the Lord of hosts.  You all live upon the earth in a self-indulgent manner and in excess for the satisfaction of your desires.  You all feed your hearts in a day of slaughter.  You all render a verdict of guilt.  You all kill the righteous; he does not oppose you in behavior.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

One of the first songs to ever challenge me as I was becoming mature in my faith was a song by DC Talk: “Things of This World.”  This is a very straightforward song about how nothing in this world will last – including us.  The fact that it has a very straightforward beat and a catchy rhythm helps the song get stuck in your head.  DC Talk and James agree on a simple point: nothing in this world will last.  There is nothing in this world that is eternal.  It isn’t the happiest point, but it is true.

What is eternal?  Upon what can you focus that will last?  Why do we focus on fleeting wealth and possessions to occupy us?

Second Thought:

“Their oxidation will be a testimony to you.”  This is a very technical expression, and if we were not talking about gold or silver we might say, “Their rust will be a testimony to you.  In other words, when the things you value get old, lose their sheen, look common, and all-around have less value then you will see how you have been wrong to value them.  James is being incredibly blunt here in these verses.  Anytime something we value grows old, it should be a reminder of how screwed up our value system is!  If I can simply learn to value the things of God rather than the things of the world, I will never have to experience the loss of anything valuable – for the things of God never lose any value.  This is an incredible point of truth for me to hear today.

What do you value in your life that will inevitably lose its value?  What could you value instead?  Will you change your values?

Third Thought:

In the end of this passage, James openly condemns wealth gained through dishonest practices.  If someone does honest work, they deserve the agreed upon wage.  We have no right to live indulgently because we cheat others in order to have an excess.  When we maintain our wealth by cheating others, we are guilty of oppression and perhaps even murder as they starve.  We must be careful, because the cries of such oppressed people will surely reach the ears of God and we will be judged.  I am reminded of the description of the cries of the Hebrew people under the Egyptians just prior to the Exodus.  {That being said, I don’t believe James is condemning wealth gained through legitimate business.  Just to be clear.}

Have you cheated anyone in the past?  Why is it important to repent of that behavior?  Do you think nations are guilty of this as well as individuals?

Passage for Tomorrow: James 5:7-8