The love of money has a ruinous end. An unhealthy craving for wealth is a hindrance to loving one’s neighbor in accordance with God’s standard. Yet, in our sinful nature, we often place great value on worldly possessions that are here today and gone tomorrow. Solomon rightly observes the fleeting nature of earthly riches, “Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. (5) When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprout wings” (Prv 23:4-5). In this devotional, James continues his warnings against the wealthy that we should cross examine our own lives with regardless of our socio-economic status in life.
It is important we embrace this Biblical truth: the love of money and stuff will lead to a multitude of sins (1 Tim 6:10). James endeavors to show how one sin leads to another. In other words, an idolatrous relationship with riches produces theft, indulgence, and murder. He offers the following exhortations concerning these three:
Theft. Greed leads to hoarding. A craving for wealth is never satisfied; therefore, we shall be driven to withhold (thus robbing) from others. James highlights such a practice that more often seen among the rich, “Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts” (v4). Simply put, such laborers had to cope with broken promises, delays, and the prospect of not being paid at all. In the midst of their anger, they cry out for justice. James makes it clear that God hears from heaven. He will not fail to act and carry out justice against their fraudulent deeds. Solomon exhorts, “Do not rob the poor, because he is poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate, (23) for the Lord will plead their cause and rob of life those who rob them” (Prv 22:22-23). Remember, we must always be mindful of how we treat those arounds us, especially those who have less than we do. Though we can disguise of evil desires and plots from people, God sees all and will act.
Indulgence. Greed will lead to spending what one has acquired and hoarded through fraud for their own extravagances. We can become like the “Rich Man” Jesus told a story about in Luke 16 that lived in luxury and indulgence each day while ignoring the needs of a poor man (Lazarus) who laid at his gate everyday. Greed stifles our ability to rightly steward the possessions and resources God has graced us with to demonstrate our love for him and our neighbor. James warns that such people are filing up within themselves a destructive end, like cattle that is overfed to prepare for butchery, thus, “You have lived on earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your heart in the day of slaughter” (v5). To be clear, there is nothing inherently wrong with wealth. It is how you use it that is God’s issue that James addresses here. We shall either steward our resources for the glory of God or self.
Murder. If a love of money is a source of much evil, what lengths a person will go to maintain their socio-economic status is the fruit of such sin that reigns in the heart. According to James, their acts would include resorting to killing those who negatively impact such living and prominence among men. They will preserve themselves at all cost…… even using their wealth to pervert any justice that seeks remedy against them on behalf of complainant whose livelihood is being destroyed due to their fraud and indulgence, thus James exposes their works, “You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you” (v6). Though the poor man is powerless to overcome a wealthy person privilege and influence, God will have the final say. Though a person can be robbed of physical life and livelihood by the wealthy, God will require the transgressors life in return (now and in the judgment) for what they have done. Earthly riches cannot protect us from the judgement of God (Prv 18:11).
God gives a measure of wealth to each of us according to his will and purposes. James warnings to the rich should encourage us to daily examine our hearts concerning how are we managing the money and resources God has placed in our hands. Proper Biblical view of possessions starts with aligning how we think, about what we have, according to God’s word. Remember, from the perspective of God’s sovereignty, you and I own nothing, but are merely stewards of his creation and what he puts in our care. Shall we allow sinful desires to ensnare and produce all sorts of evils in our lives that will invite the judgement of God? If God in Christ Jesus is our highest treasure and possession of all, we shall use what he gives us for his glory. Amen.
Blessings,
Dr. Jason S. Price, Th.D.
www.springoflivingwaters.com