192 James: Warnings to the Wealthy

Money does funny things to people, doesn’t it? 

Sometimes, however, what it does isn’t funny at all.  That’s why James offers some stern warnings to the wealthy. 

Before you dismiss his words as not applying to you thinking, “I’m not rich!” Keep in mind that 1 in 11 people globally live on less than $2.15/day. If you live on more than that, you are richer than you think. 

James addresses three sinful behaviors people with resources are prone to.

1.     Hoarding treasures

Let me offer 2 disclaimers here. It's not wrong to have resources. Neither is it wrong to save or invest those resources. The Bible talks about both.

What James is speaking of in these opening verses of chapter 5 is “hoarding.” It’s the folly of wasting resources that could have and should have been put into play to advance the Kingdom. Instead, they are taken out of circulation for two reasons: fear and pride. Either a scarcity mindset or a prestige outlook.

James tells the rich to “Weep...wail...” Why? Because one day those who have so much and yet hoarded it will have to give account to the One who had trusted them with those resources. Jesus Himself gives a sobering word regarding that: “To whom much is given...much is required.” 

Don’t hoard your wealth foolishly. Use it wisely.

2.     Defrauding measures

To defraud is to fail to pay what you owe because you want to keep your wealth.

In James’ day, the wealthy often failed to pay the day laborers that worked in their fields. Their cries of injustice reached the ears of God Almighty, he says in vs. 4. 

In our day, we defraud employees or people we hire to do a job by failing to pay a fair wage in a prompt manner. Even if you’re not a business owner, do you pay your bills fully and on time?

Don’t increase your wealth sinfully. Earn it and spend it honestly.

3.     Indulging pleasures

Is God opposed to pleasure?  Is He against us having nice things?  No.  In fact, Paul wrote of “...God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” (1 Timothy 6:17)

There’s a difference between the “enjoyment” that Paul speaks of and the “self-indulgence” that James speaks of. Enjoyment moves to self-indulgence when living the good life becomes your entire life.

There’s an old saying that helps me stay in balance: “You will have all eternity to celebrate your dividends.  You will only have a few years to make your investments.” 

Don’t spend your wealth thoughtlessly.  Invest it strategically.

Someone who understood this was the martyred missionary Jim Elliot who wrote these powerful words: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” 

Text: James 5:1-6 

Originally recorded on May 23, 2010, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN