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.
Well, here it is. I warned you! James’ tirade against the greedy rich. Those who live for money, who hoard wealth, who cheat their workers and live to indulge their own desires. Then he says, “You have condemned and murdered the innocent one…”
James starts his letter by announcing that he is writing to “the twelve tribes.” The people he is writing to are Jews. (James 1:1) It seems safe to assume that James is convinced things are not going well in the early church. Jewish believers are falling into old habits. It is as if he is shouting through pen and ink, “SNAP OUT OF IT!”
At the end of his brutal take-down of the greedy rich among the believers, James points out the one truth guaranteed to sting. “You…” he begins. You who are Jews. You who have been saved by the grace of God through Jesus Christ. You who have been redeemed at the cost of God’s own son. You, “… have condemned and murdered the innocent one…”
If nothing else James wrote touched the hearts of these new believers, these words would. Of course, he is right. The whole Jewish nation rose up against Jesus. It is very possible that some who read James’ words were in the crowd yelling, “Crucify him!” (Matthew 27: 22-23) The guilt and shame of that moment would still be fresh in their collective conscience.
Remember, the Jews are by nature a stiff-necked people. Moses was the first to complain of this to God. Stephen reminded the Sanhedrin of this when he spoke in his defense.
The next words James writes are tender and loving. But at this moment he desperately wants to get their attention. I am certain he accomplished his mission.
Application: Each of us is different. Some are so sensitive a cross look makes us melt. Others are so insensitive it takes a 2×4 upside the head just to get their attention. Be aware that not all people are the same.
Food for Thought: How do you think early Jewish Christians would have responded to James’ words?
It is possible that some James was writing to were not yet believers who were going to a Jewish Christian assembly. Some of the wealthy doing this he may have been calling to repent. Either way, it is the response to James’s words that is critical. For the ones who heard and repented – these words of James were life giving. To the others, well, as you say, they were warned. The question remains, how will we respond to his warning?
Rich,
Thank you! How will we respond? James might also wonder if our response is in word or deed!
I had a comment but I should watch my tongue and just say I appreciate the church I’m part of today.