Philip Dampier's Blog

Chapter 5, Verse 1 “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.”

Thus begins James’ comments on the possible evils of wealth. Does God despise wealth and wealthy people? That can’t be true since God promises His people prosperity to the point of opening the windows of heaven and letting blessings pour out. What James will disclose is God’s attitude about what we love. If we love the riches and it keeps us from loving God, which it surely will, then we are subject to the miseries that false love brings.

James is pointing out the not so obvious, that the love of riches will bring the very opposite of what we might expect. Man has been subject to the “If I just had more…” ambition since the earliest of times in spite of the evidence that it never brings the happiness it proposes. Jesus made this point to an unhappy man who thought his brother was cheating him out of his share of an inheritance. Here’s what Jesus told him about wealth, “…Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15)

This statement was followed by Jesus’ story of the rich man who planned on bigger barns. That man chose between riches and God. God called the man a fool.

Task for Today: Don’t be a fool. Make the right choice. Be on guard against wanting more!

Chapter 5, Verses 2-3 “Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days.”

Verses 1 through 6 appear to be written to the non-Christian rich whereas verses 7 through 11 appeal to the Christians to endure patiently. It is obvious that James, and therefore the Holy Spirit who inspired him have little use for those who have obtained wealth off of the backs of others. Most poor people today have the same attitude. Basically, James follows the thinking that riches ultimately will not bring peace and happiness but will produce the opposite.

Rather than being of great worth, the riches of the ungodly will turn out to be worthless. The eating of flesh like fire is best seen as viewing God’s judgment on the oppressiveness of these sinful people.

Task for Today: The danger of gaining riches is not in what the riches can provide but what they might cost. God suggests there are two places where we might seek to accumulate wealth, on earth or in heaven. Where are you banking these days?