Now listen, you rich people…
With these five words, James begins a tirade against the “rich.” Those who live in the richest country in the world can easily lose sight of what it means to be “rich” in material terms. Even the poor are rich compared to some. But God does not oppose wealth for the sake of opposing wealth.
Job was “the greatest man among all the people of the East.” (Job 1: 3b) His wealth was taken away for a time but it was returned. It was not Job’s material wealth that interested God, it was his righteousness and love for God. Solomon, too, was very wealthy in material terms. His fall was not because of money, but because of women.
So far in our study of James, we have addressed his use of the term “rich” here and here in detail. My conclusion remains the same: James is not condemning or promoting wealth. Instead, he is condemning the act of putting worldly wealth before God’s will.
As we examine the condemnation James has for the “rich,” remember the characteristics James points to. The people James is thinking of are people who live to acquired gold and silver. They love wearing the best clothes and hoard good things without regard for the needs of others. They even cheat people out of what is owed them.
Application: Understanding a word requires being aware of context and alternate meanings.
Food for Thought: Why would these ”rich people” want to listen to James?
That is a great question since all of us are likely in the top two percent of wealth of all the people who have ever lived on the face of the earth. As one rich person based on that truth, I want to hear James because he is speaking God’s wisdom and he is sharing how to have a better relationship with God. That is worth more than gold or silver and it lasts longer too
Rich,
Thanks for the insightful comment! With wealth comes responsibility. In one sense, God has entrusted us with great responsibility. A better relationship with God ensures that we manage what we are given according to His will.
I love the harmony of the old and new testaments. Psalm 19:7-14 perfectly sums up wealth.
JEC,
Great passage! Thank you for sharing.
The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold…
The value of knowing Jesus and being made right with God through his sacrifice on the cross is immeasurable.
I agree. Excellent passage JEC