Warning for the Rich

In James 5:1-6 James gives warnings to rich people. I read these and I realized that these warnings to the “rich” apply to me and to the people that I know. Rich is a relative term. What we consider average or middle class in America is wealthy in many other countries. Who James addresses as the wealthy of his day are the middle class of our day in America. What are the things that the “rich” are warned about?

James 5:1-6

Now listen, you rich, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon 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. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen 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 innocent men, who were not opposing you.

Warning #1: Don’t base your life on material wealth and possessions.

In Luke 12:15 Jesus tells us to watch out and to be on our guard against all kinds of greed. He says that a person’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.

In Matthew 6:19-20 Jesus tells us not to store up treasures on earth because moth and rust destroy those treasures and that thieves can break in and steal them. We are to store up treasures in heaven because those treasures will not be destroyed or stolen. Jesus tells us that where our treasure is, there our heart will also be.

When we build our lives based on and in material wealth, it will cause us to be:

Insecure

Greedy

Self-Centered

Unloving

Jesus wants to free us from dependence on things that will leave us unsatisfied and anxious.

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is basing our lives on Jesus and not material things.

Warning #2: Don’t be dishonest people.

In John 14:6 Jesus says that He is the way and the truth and the life. Jesus is the truth.

Everything that Jesus says and does is truth.

All truth leads to Jesus.

If we are dishonest people, then we don’t reflect the truth that Jesus is the truth.

In Ephesians 4:15 the church is commanded to speak the truth in love.

In Ephesians 4:25 we as followers of Jesus are told to speak the truth to our neighbor.

In Matthew 22:16 Jesus is described as honest.

In 1 Peter 2:22 Jesus is described as not having any deceit in His mouth.

When we are honest and truthful we correctly display the character of Jesus.

When we are dishonest and untruthful we distort the character of Jesus.

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is speaking the truth and displaying honesty.

Warning #3: Don’t live for pleasure and in luxury.

In Ecclesiastes 2:1 we are told that living for personal pleasure is vanity or useless.

In Ecclesiastes 2:11 we are told that living for personal pleasure is like chasing after the wind.

Pleasure is fleeting and to try to base your life on pleasure means you will continually be chasing it. It means that your desire and focus will always be on what brings you pleasure.

Hebrews 11:25 tells us that even sin can bring temporary pleasure. Pleasure can thus lead you into sin.

God wants us to experience joy and pleasure but with our joy and pleasure centered in Him. We experience real pleasure when, by the way we live, we bring God pleasure. Our calling is to do the desires of God and that makes God smile. God’s smile is what we desire and what brings the real pleasure we are seeking.

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is finding our pleasure in bringing pleasure to God.

Warning #4: Don’t condemn others.

John 3:17 tells us that Jesus didn’t come to condemn the world but to save the world.

In Luke 6:37 we are told not to judge or condemn others.

In John 8 Jesus has every reason to condemn the woman taken in adultery but He does not.

Condemnation is emotionally killing a person.

Condemnation is telling the other person they are of no value.

Condemnation is telling the other person they are beyond hope.

In Romans 2:4 Paul says that it is God’s loving kindness that brings people to repentance. It is not our condemnation that changes people. It is God’s love flowing from us to others that changes people.

When people condemn me, it causes me to put up my defenses.

When people come in love to help me, it allows me to respond by listening.

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is acting and responding in love, not condemnation.

We as people who possess material wealth and who have influence with others are to:

Live based on spiritual wealth

Be honest and open

Live for God’s pleasure

Love, not condemn

These things are possible only as we surrender out lives to Jesus and live in relationship with Him as our Lord.

By God’s Will and Desire, Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls,

                                                   Joe