Living Out Our Faith Patiently - James 5:4-6
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Introduction
Introduction
Tonight, we are back into our study of James. As might recall, this opening section of James 5 is directed at rich believers. Yes, there are rich believers. The fact is that most American are quite rich compared to the rest of the world. God has blessed us greatly. Unfortunately, as American believers, we often do not use our wealth as God intended. Thus, James 5 is very applicable to us and to today.
Now, this month is our Missions Emphasis Month. During the month, our focus is on evangelism both at home and abroad. A task that God has adequately equipped every believer to accomplish. There is therefore a sense of stewardship associated with evangelism. Are we being good stewards of all that God has given us in our duty to give the gospel message to all who will hear? That is a fundamental question each of us must answer. It is interesting that this year during our Missions Emphasis we find ourselves in James 5. This first section deals with stewardship. On a particular note, it is a reminder of consequences. Unfaithful stewardship of money results in some dire consequences.
Two weeks ago, we considered some of those consequences as we studied verses 1-3. Let’s read them again before we get to this evening’s text.
1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.
There are a number of things we learned from these verse in our last study. They were the following points.
Don’t Seek to Hoard More
Don’t Seek to Hoard More
- “weep and how for your miseries that shall come upon you” - The point is that when we pursue riches there are many “miseries” that come along with that pursuit. In fact, most rich people are quite miserable for a myriad of reasons.
Use What God Has Given You
Use What God Has Given You
- “your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten” - The point is that all earthly possession are temporary. Accumulating wealth is a useless activity. You can’t take anything with you in death. All that you accumulate and leaven behind will be destroyed and consumed. It is better to take what you have and use it for Him.
Misusing What God Has Given Condemns the Rich Believer
Misusing What God Has Given Condemns the Rich Believer
- “shall be a witness against you” - The point is that all of us, including rich believers, will stand before God one day to gave an account of our stewardship. What we have done with what God has entrusted to us will stand as a “witness against” us on that day. Therefore, we must be extremely careful not to MISUSE what He has given us. Don’t let your money sit. Instead, use it for Him.
Now we come to our text for tonight.
4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.
5 Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.
6 Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.
The Holy Spirit continues to speak to those who are rich. By the way, this means all of us. Even though you might think you are poor, the poor in America lives much better than some rich people in third world countries. So, on a global scale, you have a lot that God has entrusted you. So please don’t pass the buck this evening. God is speaking to all of us through His Word.
What is that He wants us to know this evening from our text?
The first thing He wants us to know and understand is this.
Carefully Consider How You Achieve Your Wealth
Carefully Consider How You Achieve Your Wealth
Note again verse 4.
4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.
People often cheat others so that they might be rich. Here, in this verse, the Holy Spirit points this out. He describe such actions stating, “the hire…which is of you kept back by fraud.” The entire phrase “which is…kept back by fraud” is a compound verb in Greek. It has the idea of cheating someone out of what is owed them. Thus, the rich seek to get richer by cheating hard working individuals of their wages. What is then the result? Those who are cheated “crieth.” Their cries enter “the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.” In other words, God is quite aware of the situation. He knows the rich believer is doing wrong. How does He know? The cries of those wronged reach His ears and He hears.
It is interesting that the Holy Spirit uses the title “Lord of sabaoth” here. From Hebrew, it is translated the “Lord of hosts” or the “Lord of armies.” A phrase we find often in the Old Testament.
11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no rasor come upon his head.
Here we find this title used by Hannah as she poured out her heart unto God. You will note that she suffered greatly at the hand of Peninnah, the other wife to Elkanah, Hannah’s husband. She was grieved greatly that God did not bless her with children. So, in her grief, she cried out to the “Lord of host” or, as we see in our text, the “Lord of sabaoth.”
Here is another example.
45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
In this instance, David is facing the great giant and enemy of Israel, Goliath. David marches out to face him realizing that he is nothing compared to this massive man of war. Goliath comes out with a great sword, spear, shield, and fully armored. He was seasoned soldier having slain many enemies. All of Israel cowered at his presence. Out comes puny little David with nothing more than a sling and a few stones. David understood that he was nothing. However, he also understood that the “Lord of hosts” was mightier than any man including a massive man of war. David walks out to face Goliath knowing the “Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel” would fight for him that day.
Now, we go back to our text and we see a similar situation like Hannah and David. These laborers could do nothing about the treachery they were experiencing. Yet, they knew to call upon the “Lord of sabaoth.” They willingly relied upon Him to answer their prayer and make right the wrong they suffered at the hand of a rich believer.
Therein lies the issue. The rich believer should know better. Yet, his desire for accumulated earthly wealth drives him to gain more even at the expense of others. He resorts to stealing and defrauding so that he might fill his own lustful desire.
Scripture has much to say about financial impropriety.
Scripture has much to say about financial impropriety.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue Is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
It is wrong for a believer to lie so that they might gain riches. Note the comparison listed here. They are a person seeking death.
16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, And he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
Again, it is wrong for a believer to oppress or harass others to gain riches.
11 As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.
Wow, here is interesting description of the person who steals so they might be rich. They are fools and are compared to “the partridge” sitting on an egg knowing it will not hatch. It is foolish endeavor.
13 Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, And his chambers by wrong; That useth his neighbour’s service without wages, And giveth him not for his work;
It is wrong for a believer to build his estate (house) using fraudulent (unrighteous) means. Note something else interesting here. If you going to use your neighbor, then pay him. It is wrong to ask for a person’s help and not be prepared to pay them for their labor.
13 Behold, therefore I have smitten mine hand at thy dishonest gain which thou hast made, and at thy blood which hath been in the midst of thee.
Those who disobey God and seek riches through dishonest means God will smite them with His own hand. I am pretty sure I don’t want that in my life.
4 Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, Even to make the poor of the land to fail,
5 Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? And the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, Making the ephah small, and the shekel great, And falsifying the balances by deceit?
6 That we may buy the poor for silver, And the needy for a pair of shoes; Yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat?
7 The Lord hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works.
God remembers each person, especially the believer, who is dishonest in their dealings with others.
5 And I will come near to you to judgment; And I will be a swift witness Against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, And against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, The widow, and the fatherless, And that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, Saith the Lord of hosts.
Here we find a number of people who will face God’s judgment. Listed along with sorcerers, adulterers, and others are “those that oppress the hireling in his wages.”
The point is this. God is not going to bless believers who defraud others. He will, however, judge them greatly.
Scripture encourages just and fair treatment of others.
Scripture encourages just and fair treatment of others.
Here are few verses to consider.
13 Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.
27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, When it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; When thou hast it by thee.
Carefully Consider that Hoarding Riches is a Selfish Endeavor
Carefully Consider that Hoarding Riches is a Selfish Endeavor
5 Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.
We see it all the time. Here in America and other places in the world, the rich just get richer. They do everything they can to have “pleasure on the earth.” They have big houses, expensive cars, enjoy all sorts of recreation, eat fine food while craving power, recognition, honor, and fame. To what end do they do such things? They do them for their own ego and for building their own self-esteem. It is all about getting more and more so that they might enjoy more and more. Their life is centered around pleasure and gratification. Such a life forgets God. Instead, they use their wealth and their power to oppress others so they might gain more for themselves.
Over in Isaiah, the Holy Spirit warned those who do such things. In fact, He notes how they become comfortable with their way of living as if they are the only ones in the world. In other words, the rich live as if the world revolves around them. Note what He says in Isaiah 47:8-9
8 Therefore hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, That sayest in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children:
9 But these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, The loss of children, and widowhood: They shall come upon thee in their perfection For the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thine enchantments.
Many of you may recall Jesus’ story about the rich man who built great barns to store what God had given him. In that story, Christ relay’s the words of the rich man when he said this.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
Where was his focus? It was on himself and gratification. Do you remember God’s reaction to him?
20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
As you think about these things, one cannot help but realize that much if today’s American society is centered around gaining wealth. You talk to any person on the street and they will tell how much they desire to have great wealth so they can sit back and gratify themselves with that is offered. Christ predicted this.
38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Unfortunately, this selfish desire for wealth permeates many believers lives today as well. One of the biggest reasons we, as a local church, struggle with finances is due to believers wanting wealth for themselves. If every believer who attended this church truly gave as God commanded and took their focus of themselves, we would never hurt for finances here. I, as your pastor, would not have to plead with believers to tithe and give sacrificially. Each year, we would have more than money to not only support our missionaries but add even more. Yet, the mindset of gaining wealth and enjoying the pleasures of this world is cemented in many American believers just as is with all of America. It is interesting that Christ noted that many in Noah’s day “knew not until the flood came, and took them all away.” They were ignorant of their coming demise because they were too consumed with themselves and pleasing themselves. I wonder how many believers will be caught doing the same when Christ sounds the trumpet!
Look again at verse five and note the second part of that verse.
5 Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.
The Holy Spirit uses this descriptive phrase here. He says, “ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.”
The word “nourish” gives the picture of feeding and fattening a person or an animal. Here, the Holy Spirit refers to hoarding wealth as a person feeds or fatten their own “hearts” or, if I may, their own ego. People who pursue wealth keep feeding their selfish desires growing fatter by the day. When I was studying this, I thought of a person’s ego looking like a balloon. They just keep pumping more and more air into it. Soon, their head is so big they can’t fit through a door. If you keep pumping air into a balloon, what will happen if you don’t stop? It blows up. So it is with a rich believer! They just keep blowing up their ego filling it with empty air living in total disregard of their coming day of judgment. It is reminder once again that our duty is to seek God’s kingdom, not our personal wealth or estate. We must be concerned about laying up treasure in heaven, not here on earth. Any believer who does not do so is simply “nourishing” their ego as they disregard the coming day of Christ’s Judgment.
Now on to verse 6 and we are done this evening!
6 Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.
Here is the thought.
Carefully Consider How Hoarding Riches Condemns the Righteous!
Carefully Consider How Hoarding Riches Condemns the Righteous!
Think about this verse this way. Who is is that the rich dislike the most in this world? Is it not the person who advocates denying self? This verse reminds of this story about Jesus in Luke 18.
18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.
20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.
21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.
22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
This rich young ruler did not like what Christ told him. Christ instructed him to “sell all that thou hast.” In other words, live a life denying self and its desires. All this began with this rich ruler coming to Christ and asking, “what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Christ first response was basically that the rich man recognize Christ as God. Note that Christ said, “Why callest thou men good? none is good, save one, that is, God.” Essentially Christ was saying do you recognize me as the Messiah (as God) by calling me good. Perhaps, he did. We do not have the answer. Christ then noted how the rich man must obey Scripture. To which, he said he did. Then, Christ confronts him with his real heart issue. This rich man loved the pleasures of this world more than Christ. He rejected Christ based on Christ instruction to sell all that he had.
The story of Christ confirms James 5:6. Who were the ones who sought His death? Did not the rich ruling class (the Pharisees and the Sadduccees) the ones who desired to kill him? Kill him they did. Thus, rich condemned and killed the just. Christ did not resist.
It is no different even now. Again, I remind you that this is written to believers. Thus, it is to rich believers the Holy Spirit addresses verse 6, not unbelievers. My point is this. Even rich believer must be careful not to reject the message of self-denial and sacrificial giving. And, additionally, they must have an open heart to those who preach and teach its message from God’s Word. On the other hand, the righteous must not “resist” when oppressed by those who are rich and powerful. Instead, we must remain faithful to the Lord and the mission that He gave us.
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Here is what we have learned this evening.