Recap | James | Dear Rich People

In the history of the world, there has never been a group of people who have experienced the luxuries and wealth that we are surrounded with today.  Compared to the present world, and even within our own nation, we are a very financially privileged group.  Because this lifestyle has become a normal existence for us, it is hard to fully recognize and comprehend the ways in which this vast wealth has damaged our hearts and souls.  Scripture is not silent on the dangers of wealth, and we must soften our hearts towards its words concerning these matters.

As chapter 5 opens, James offers a stern and fervent warning to the rich.  The group he is speaking to has hoarded their wealth and oppressed others for personal gain.  Through their pursuit of luxury and self-indulgence, they have personally prepared their hearts for destruction.   James reminds his audience of their accountability to God, who watches over the weak and the powerful.  He warns the people that the physical things in which they have placed their hope are rotting and corroding, and their self-absorbed lifestyle ultimately will be a source of misery and pain.<

We live in a culture of narcissism.  It promotes the idea of satisfying our every desire, willingly dismissing others and their suffering for our own happiness.  The wealth we are accumulating is rotting; it is not bringing the value and security for which we are so desperately grasping.  Moreover, our comfort, our wealth, and our self-absorption have come at a price to others.  As we blindly gather our things and accumulate our wealth, we too are only fattening ourselves for our own slaughter.

The way in which a person lives actually sheds light on the condition of their heart.  Therefore, “we never arrive to a place where we don’t have to examine our own soul”, our freedoms, or the way we spend our money.  We must live in light of the fact that we are in a position of power, temporary though it is, and our actions have direct implications for those who live next door, across the country, and around the world.

Jesus-Wealth-Teachings
Christians are called to use their wealth for good, to trade their physical, tangible wealth for treasures stored up in heaven.  We must be alert to how we are using the gifts that have been graciously bestowed upon us because there is a moment coming, for Christians and for non-Christians, when we will have to answer for our life and for our wealth.

Applications:

1. We need to be concerned with justice.  “When you have a culture that fractures, it is always because of a lack of justice.”  Racial, economic, and other tensions abound in the world and in our country.  “Until there is a unique form of justice to bring resolution, we will live with this.  It is part of the judgment that is on us.”  Individually, however, we can hold ourselves accountable to do our part.
2. Restitution needs to be made for financial, relational, ethical, and social debt.  If you have stolen something, you need to return it in a way that is just as physical as the original theft and connect with the person from whom you stole.
3. We need to learn how to leverage our resources.  1 Timothy 6:17-19 challenges the rich not to be proud and trust in their money.  Enjoyment of the gifts God provides is a different state of heart than finding satisfaction and fulfillment in those gifts. “The irony is that physical, financial advantage is actually a spiritual disadvantage.”

-Katie Gural

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Worship Songs from the Weekend

  • The Name of Jesus Christ: Philippians 2:6-11, Isaiah 45:22-23
  • Raised to Life: Romans 6:4-11, Micah 7:19, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
  • You Are Faithful: Exodus 34:6, Psalm 105:3, Isaiah 51:11
  • Dwell: Psalm 91:1, Isaiah 54:17
  • This I Believe: 1 Corinthians 15, John 3:16, Romans 1:16-17, Hebrews 1
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