Gospel Bible Baptist Church

James 5:1-6

Introduction

Being rich is not sinful. Many Godly men in the Bible are rich yet they are a blessing to others. What is sinful is the wrong way of using wealth and the unlawful way of accumulating it. Riches can neither be a blessing or a curse. One thing is sure about wealth, it never satisfies. I honestly think that the persons being discussed here were not Christians; they are not addressed as “brethren”.
Illustration 1: It’s All Mine
George W. Truett, a well-known pastor, was invited to dinner in the home of a very wealthy man in Texas. After the meal, the host led him to a place where they could get a good view of the surrounding area.

Pointing to the oil wells punctuating the landscape, he boasted, “Twenty-five years ago I had nothing. Now, as far as you can see, it’s all mine.” Looking in the opposite direction at his sprawling fields of grain, he said, “That’s all mine.” Turning east toward huge herds of cattle, he bragged, “They’re all mine.”
Then pointing to the west and a beautiful forest, he exclaimed, “That too is all mine.”
He paused, expecting Dr. Truett to compliment him on his great success. Truett, however, placing one hand on the man’s shoulder and pointing heavenward with the other, simply said, “How much do you have in that direction?” The man hung his head and confessed, “I never thought of that.”
Our Daily Bread, October 24, 1992

I. Warning for the rich . (Jas. 5:1) What we have here are the rich who misuse their wealth and those that does not use it for eternal purpose. Once more the term “Go to now” is used, which is an invitation for attention “come and hear what I have to say”.
A. The rich are told to weep and howl for their miseries that shall come. One commentator says, weeping is for the spiritual torment and howling is for physical torment. I agree with him.

B. Perils of Riches:

1. Often an obstruction to the reception of the gospel. Mark 10:23-25
2. Deceitfulness of riches chokes the Word. Mat. 13:22
3. The love of money is the root of all evil. 1 Tim. 6:10
4. Incline to forgetfulness of God. Deut. 8:13-14

Illustration/Application:
The unbelieving rich are now being warned of the eternal punishment and miseries that awaits them. Some of them don’t even have to wait till they die to be punished. Drug lords, mafia godfathers, loan sharks, dictators, etc., suffer horrible and tragic death which sometime includes their love ones. Kaddafi’s death is a very good example, He was killed together with one of his sons. Some realizes their mistakes but then it’s too late. Punishment is sure and quick for the unjust and the ungodly.

II. Corrupted or rotten wealth. James 5:2-3
A. Corrupted riches are wealth that is accumulated illegally and dishonestly. Cheating people taking advantage of them. The mind, the heart was also included in this corruption that God is totally ignored and out of the rich people’s lives.
B. Garments that are moth eaten pictures expensive apparels and clothing that are worn by the rich to show off and parade their financial capacity. Costly clothing is one of main form of wealth in the ancient world. Moth eaten in the sense that dress that are not used but just kept would soon deteriorate.
C. Cankered silver and gold. James 5:2-3
Gold and silver are the most sought-after metals and have long been considered the material standards for the world. Though they do not rust, they do become corroded. Gold can darken and silver tarnishes. Olden days gold and silver if kept for a long time becomes black, a sign that it is slowly being corroded. It symbolizes wealth that is not used for God’s glory and helping others. Hoarding wealth and re fusing to use it to fill the needs of the poor is sin.
D. Heaped up treasures means store up. To keep safe valuables. It is said that “money begets money”. This is so because he that has money can influence and control his fellow man and the law so he can accumulate more money.
E. The fire mentioned here and the last days refer s to future punishments that the rich is going to experience. Truly the Lord will judge all the evils and wrongs that the rich had committed against Him and against the helpless poor.
F. Anyone who lives for money will experience misery. For most it will be an eternal misery and torment. The rich man in hell cried out, … I am tormented in this flame. (Luke 16:24)

Illustration/Application:
The corroded or rusted gold and silver together with the moth eaten garments will testify against the rich in the last days or in the day of judgement. Let this be a warning to those people who hoards their riches. Eccl. 5:13. In the parable of the Rich Fool in Lk. 12:16-21, the rich was punished not for being rich but for his insensitivity to the need of others and his trust in his wealth. Wealth brings merriment only temporarily.

III. Withholding Wages – James 5:4
A. This verse speaks of the wages that had not been honestly given to the workers. Due to some manipulation, part of it was taken or was not given. The poor labourer, most of them have no education can only cry to God for help. Unjust gain is prohibited in the Bible. It is greed.

1. Riches ill-gotten is will not last long. Proverbs 21:6
2. Oppression of the poor causes want. Proverbs 22:16
3. Unjust gain will never profit its owner. Jer. 17:11
4. Punishment for not paying wages. Jer. 22:13

B. The rich may think that they can get away with their fraud; the thing is the Lord of the Sabaoth (Lord of the Armies) hears the cries of the poor.

1. God’s ears are open to the righteous. Psalm 34:15
2. Prayers of the righteous are heard by the Lord. 1 Peter 3:12

Illustration/Application:
God sees and God knows what is happening. Oppressing the poor and robbing them is very serious. Prov. 22:22-23 tells us the danger of robbing the poor. The first company I worked with refuse to give just wage to its workers. Very rich but very stingy. He was gunned down while traveling home. After his death, the company got bankrupt, and was forced to close down.

IV. Living in Pleasure – James 5:5-6
A. This is none other but living in luxury at the expense of others. Living a worldly life, lacking in nothing, excess in everything, but without God. Like an animal being fattened before they are slaughtered or killed, the rich are given time to enjoy life before they are punished.
B. The just mentioned here are the innocents who has not done anything against the rich, he does not resist because he is helpless and defenceless in his poverty. The sin of greed ending in murder.

V. Conclusion:

People who put their trust in riches is standing in shaky ground and building upon sand. Riches are transitory and you may lose it anytime. It is best to lay up treasures in heaven as the Lord Jesus Christ has told, Matt. 6:20. Money is not evil in itself but the love of it. Money is a gift and God is the giver. Put your heart and trust to the giver not to the gift.