http://bible.com/events/48846138
James and Rich and Wrong
Who has your heart?
James 5:1-6
Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on 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 workers 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 the innocent one, who was not opposing you.
The clarifying question here is this: “What is the problem?”
-The root of the problem James is addressing is greed, our desires driving us to want more and more.
-“You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence” James 5:5
-Next James provides a visual of what this looks like: “You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.” James 5:5
Luke 12:15
Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
The Bible talks a lot about money. Jesus speaks a lot about money. And we have a lot of questions:
-Why does the Bible talk about money so much?
-Is it wrong to have money?
-Should I feel guilty?
-Why do I give to the church?
-How much do I have to give?
The best question we should be asking:
Who has your heart?
Verses for further study/reflection:
Luke 12:13-21
Psalm 63:1-11
1 John 2:16
2 Corinthians 9:7
Ecclesiastes 5:10
Hebrews 13:5
Psalm 52:5-7
Matthew 19:16-26
Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” he inquired. Jesus replied, “ ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’” “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
James in 8 Minutes
This overview video on the book of James breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. In this book, James combines the wisdom of his brother Jesus with the book of Proverbs in his own challenging call to live a life wholly devoted to God.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn-hLHWwRYY