What a different view on life! As James begins with a call to repentance for the rich, he says that their riches have rotted and their garments are moth-eaten. Their gold and silver have corroded. What is he talking about?
He’s talking about laying up treasures in heaven instead of on earth, and while we might be inclined to gloss over these strong statements to the rich because, after all, we’re poor, perhaps we should pause and look more closely. Remember that purely by living in North America, you are likely in the top 2% in wealth in the world. It’s hard to wrap our minds around that when we’re struggling to pay our bills, or we’re experiencing our own economic woes. But while we’re wondering how to make a car payment, many people around the world are wondering how to feed their families. It’s a whole different scale.
As Christians with wealth, James is challenging us to think about how we spend our money. He wants us to look at what we do with our wealth. This is a place for us to think about social justice, feeding the hungry, and care for the poor. I’m not talking about “spreading the wealth” as some have put it, but, as a person with means, we need to know that God wants us to use those means to help others and to help grow the Kingdom. As James says in 4:17, “whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”
James is not saying we should not have nice clothes or homes or vacations or whatever. He’s saying that if our wealth is only focused on ourselves while others starve, or if our wealth was made by unfairly treating workers, it is sin. Perhaps we should consider that the next time we by a shirt, or coffee, or some other item that was made in a different nation. What were the working conditions? Was the worker properly paid? Am I grateful for the service they’ve provided? Do I care about their well being?
James goes on to encourage patience and steadfastness in holding on to God’s promise. In particular he reminds us to be patient in light of God’s judgment. How can we do that? We know that in the End God will come and set all things right. We also know that in Christ our End is full of hope and joy, and, as we read in Revelation, we are headed to a place with no more weeping, mourning, sickness or death. This reality overarches everything we face in this life. As Paul says in Romans, “I do not consider our present sufferings worthy to be compared to the surpassing glory that is being revealed in us through Christ Jesus.”
In this time we are also called to pray. Prayer is often looked down upon as doing nothing, but look at all the things James says prayer does. Those prayers are powerful and effective! The Lord’s Prayer shows us that God wants us to call upon Him and count on Him to act on our behalf. But like the rich above we often want to live by our own resources, and shun God’s gift.
Finally, James calls us to reach out to those, “wanderers from the truth.” Reminding them of God’s love and mercy in Jesus can be their salvation. And that, indeed, is a high and holy calling that covers a multitude of sins!
Father, thank you for providing so abundantly for me. I have not always used your gifts – material or spiritual – as you intend them. Help me to put my trust in you, and live in that trust. Help me to share my blessings with others, to help them know you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
He’s talking about laying up treasures in heaven instead of on earth, and while we might be inclined to gloss over these strong statements to the rich because, after all, we’re poor, perhaps we should pause and look more closely. Remember that purely by living in North America, you are likely in the top 2% in wealth in the world. It’s hard to wrap our minds around that when we’re struggling to pay our bills, or we’re experiencing our own economic woes. But while we’re wondering how to make a car payment, many people around the world are wondering how to feed their families. It’s a whole different scale.
As Christians with wealth, James is challenging us to think about how we spend our money. He wants us to look at what we do with our wealth. This is a place for us to think about social justice, feeding the hungry, and care for the poor. I’m not talking about “spreading the wealth” as some have put it, but, as a person with means, we need to know that God wants us to use those means to help others and to help grow the Kingdom. As James says in 4:17, “whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”
James is not saying we should not have nice clothes or homes or vacations or whatever. He’s saying that if our wealth is only focused on ourselves while others starve, or if our wealth was made by unfairly treating workers, it is sin. Perhaps we should consider that the next time we by a shirt, or coffee, or some other item that was made in a different nation. What were the working conditions? Was the worker properly paid? Am I grateful for the service they’ve provided? Do I care about their well being?
James goes on to encourage patience and steadfastness in holding on to God’s promise. In particular he reminds us to be patient in light of God’s judgment. How can we do that? We know that in the End God will come and set all things right. We also know that in Christ our End is full of hope and joy, and, as we read in Revelation, we are headed to a place with no more weeping, mourning, sickness or death. This reality overarches everything we face in this life. As Paul says in Romans, “I do not consider our present sufferings worthy to be compared to the surpassing glory that is being revealed in us through Christ Jesus.”
In this time we are also called to pray. Prayer is often looked down upon as doing nothing, but look at all the things James says prayer does. Those prayers are powerful and effective! The Lord’s Prayer shows us that God wants us to call upon Him and count on Him to act on our behalf. But like the rich above we often want to live by our own resources, and shun God’s gift.
Finally, James calls us to reach out to those, “wanderers from the truth.” Reminding them of God’s love and mercy in Jesus can be their salvation. And that, indeed, is a high and holy calling that covers a multitude of sins!
Father, thank you for providing so abundantly for me. I have not always used your gifts – material or spiritual – as you intend them. Help me to put my trust in you, and live in that trust. Help me to share my blessings with others, to help them know you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Comments