Trouble with Riches

Money, we cannot deny it, we need money in our lives and God is the provider and makes us stewards of it. What we do with it matters and in our passage today we see the misuse of it.

Said by some comedian at one time.

“If money talks, all it ever says to me is ‘good-bye’”

James Chapter 5 has has two overall themes to it.

Trouble with money (Jm5:1-6; Mt19:23-26)

Trouble with affliction (Jm5:13-16)

Prayer (Jm5:4; Jm5:13-16)

Illustration of power of prayer (Jm5:17-18)

In our passage tonight the money is not saying good-bye, and that is the trouble. They are holding onto, hording their wealth, money for personal gain. Not only that they are persecuting the ones who need the money the most, the poor.

When you take the two themes noted in chapter 5 you can come up with another mark of living as a slave of Christ, someone who is mature in Christ.

He is prayerful in times of trouble.

Instead of putting our head down in times of trouble, as a slave to Christ may we turn to the Lord in prayer and seek His guidance and help in our times of need.

Back to our point tonight about the trouble with riches. It is not a sin to be rich, there are lots of examples of rich people in the Bible, Job, Abraham, Joseph, David and Solomon. Jesus did not condemn people for being rich, but the difficulty of rich entering the kingdom (Mt19:23-26).

Matthew 19:23–24 NASB95

23 And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 “Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Matthew 19:25–26 NASB95

25 When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?” 26 And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

James was concerned about the selfishness of the rich in the passage. He gives some sage advise to “weep and howl” (Jm5:1) and in our passage gives several reasons for this exhortation, this warning about the trouble with riches.

Let me give you the passage then go back and let’s discuss the problem with riches.

James 5:1–2 NASB95

1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. 2 Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten.

James 5:3–4 NASB95

3 Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure! 4 Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.

Jm5:5

James 5:5 NASB95

5 You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.

James 5:5–6 NASB95

5 You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you.

How they got their riches

While we look at our passage it may seem that this is written to non-Christians, and that is possible, but there is still lots we can learn about riches and honesty from the passage that is applicable especially to Christians.

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Riches by illegal means (Jm5:4; Deu24:14-15; Lev19:13

Illegal influence (Jm5:6; Jm2:6; Lev19:15; Amo5:12)

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Riches by illegal means (Jm5:4; Deu24:14-15; Lev19:13; Jer22:13)

Again, let me point out that God is not against wealth or acquiring wealth. How you earn it, what you do with is, store it use it etc. is what matters. Here in our passage it was being acquired by illegal means, wages being withheld

James 5:4 NASB95

4 Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.

This was clearly spoken of against under law of Moses

Deuteronomy 24:14–15 NASB95

14 “You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether he is one of your countrymen or one of your aliens who is in your land in your towns. 15 “You shall give him his wages on his day before the sun sets, for he is poor and sets his heart on it; so that he will not cry against you to the Lord and it become sin in you.

and then again

Leviticus 19:13 NASB95

13 ‘You shall not oppress your neighbor, nor rob him. The wages of a hired man are not to remain with you all night until morning.

Lev

Can you imagine why James the inspired writer is being so harsh?

These people were day laborers not contract labor, Jesus dealt with this issue with the parable of the laborers in Mt20:1-16.

Here is what God thinks about it

Jeremiah 22:13 NASB95

13 “Woe to him who builds his house without righteousness And his upper rooms without justice, Who uses his neighbor’s services without pay And does not give him his wages,

The rich had haired the laborers and promised to pay them. The men did their part but the rich “kept back” the monies. The verb tense in the Greek indicates that the men never intended to to pay. So, is that not stealing? So we need to be faithful today we need to keep our word we need to pay our bills and keep our promises and covenants we enter into so not to be like the rich men who got illegal gain.

Riches by illegal means (Jm5:4; Deu24:14-15; Lev19:13

Illegal influence (Jm5:6; Jm2:6; Lev19:15; Amo5:12)

It is seen often that the rich have some political power or influence. We have seen previously James address the issue with the rich using the court system for their benefit

James 2:6 NASB95

6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court?

That is not the first of it. It was previously addressed in the Law regarding how judge is to judge

Leviticus 19:15 NASB95

15 ‘You shall do no injustice in judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor nor defer to the great, but you are to judge your neighbor fairly.

If you look at the book of Amos you would see that is what the problem is and that judgment was coming because of unjust judges who were influenced by money.

Amos 5:12 NASB95

12 For I know your transgressions are many and your sins are great, You who distress the righteous and accept bribes And turn aside the poor in the gate.

May we remember when it comes to riches:

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God owns all wealth; gives all things

God makes us stewards of it; for His purpose and glory (Pro13:11; Pro10:4; Pro23:4; Col3:23)

Don’t loose our priority (Mt6:33)

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God owns all wealth; gives all things

God owns all wealth (Ps50:10)

God makes us stewards of it; for His purpose and glory (Pro13:11; Pro10:4)

Psalm 50:10 NASB95

10 “For every beast of the forest is Mine, The cattle on a thousand hills.

Don’t loose our priority (Mt6:33)

God makes us stewards of it; for His purpose and glory (Pro13:11; Pro10:4; Pro23:4; Col3:23)

Proverbs 13:11 NASB95

11 Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, But the one who gathers by labor increases it.

Work for a living, work with your hands.

Proverbs 10:4 NASB95

4 Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, But the hand of the diligent makes rich.

Don’t work for a living; work with a purpose

Proverbs 23:4 NASB95

4 Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, Cease from your consideration of it.

Do it for the glory of God

Colossians 3:23 NASB95

23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,

God owns all wealth (Ps50:10)

God makes us stewards of it; for His purpose and glory (Pro13:11; Pro10:4)

Don’t loose our priority (Mt6:33)

Matthew 6:33 NASB95

33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Now, going from how the acquired their wealth to now how they used their wealth.

How they used their wealth

It is your money, it is your choice what you do with it. The Bible tells us what not to do with it and our passage deals with that, as well as a few other passages.

James 5:3–4 NASB95

James 5:5 NASB95

5 You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.

James 3:5 NASB95

5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!

First they gained illegally, a sinful way

Now they use it in a sinful way

They used it for personal g

They stored up riches (Jm5:3); contrary to what Jesus said (Mt6:20)

Matthew 6:20 NASB95

20 “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;

Does that mean we are to sell everything and give everything to the poor like the rich young ruler? No, that would be contrary to what we see throughout the bible. The rich young ruler coveted his riches like in our passage today. There is nothing wrong with having them, they are yours, what you do with them is between you and God.

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They stored up riches (Jm5:3); contrary to what Jesus said (Mt6:20; Jm2:15-16)

They kept others from benefiting (Jm5:4; 1Cor4:2)

They lived in luxury (Jm5:5); again Jesus gave a warning about such (Lk12:15)

All things given to enjoy (1Tim6:17); but not to hoard (LK16:19-31)

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They stored up riches (Jm5:3); contrary to what Jesus said (Mt6:20; Jm2:15-16)

It’s bad to gain wealth in a sinful way, but then to use it in a sinful way just tops the cake doesn’t it? They were storing up riches contrary to what Jesus said about riches.

They lived in luxury (Jm5:5); again Jesus gave a warning about such (Lk12:15)

All things given to enjoy (1Tim6:17); but not to hoard (LK16:19-31)

Matthew 6:20 NASB95

20 “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;

We are to store up riches in heaven! These men according the scripture were storing up grain (implied, v.2), garments (v.2) gold and silver (v.3). To store up treasures in heaven is to use the resources He has given us here (riches) for His purposes and His glory. We may posses many things, but we are not the owners of them, God is. We are to be faithful stewards of God’s provisions, not just for ourselves but for the betterment of others (thinking of Jm2:15-16)

(insert personal story of Ron being blessed because of my faithfulness)

James 2:15–16 NASB95

15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?

They stored up riches (Jm5:3); contrary to what Jesus said (Mt6:20; Jm2:15-16)

They kept others from benefiting (Jm5:4; 1Cor4:2)

The rich were holding back the money owed to the mowers; keeping them from using resources for kingdom too as seen in our passage tonight and then add

1 Corinthians 4:2 NASB95

2 In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.

As stewards of God’s resources they were not being trustworthy because they were not paying them, they were hoarding up for themselves.

They stored up riches (Jm5:3); contrary to what Jesus said (Mt6:20)

They kept others from benefiting (Jm5:4; 1Cor4:2)

They lived in luxury (Jm5:5); again Jesus gave a warning about such (Lk12:15)

Hoarding, storing up, keeping for themselves and living in luxury as seen in (v.5) and Jesus spoke on this issue too

All things given to enjoy (1Tim6:17); but not to hoard (LK16:19-31)

Luke 12:15 NASB95

15 Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”

Our life consists of more than our possessions!

They stored up riches (Jm5:3); contrary to what Jesus said (Mt6:20)

They kept others from benefiting (Jm5:4; 1Cor4:2)

They lived in luxury (Jm5:5); again Jesus gave a warning about such (Lk12:15)

All things given to enjoy (1Tim6:17); but not to hoard (LK16:19-31)

Now, God has given us all things to enjoy and that is true

1 Timothy 6:17 NASB95

17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.

But the is a difference between enjoying and living extravagantly at the expense of others because if ill gotten gains (sinful gains). Luxury, or living extravagantly has a way of turning our direction from God sufficiency to self-sufficiency and self-indulgence which is sin.

This now leads to our next point.

What riches can do

They thought they had it all; God said you were going to give it all up. James in this portion speaks on what riches can do when not used properly.

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Riches will vanish (Jm5:2-3) - rot, be moth-eaten, and rust

Riches can erode character (Jm5:3; 1Tim6:10; Ps62:10; Pro22:1)

Riches bring judgment (Jm5:3, 5) both judgment now, and future

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Riches will vanish (Jm5:2-3) - rot, be moth-eaten, and rust

Riches can erode character (Jm5:3; 1Tim6:10; Ps62:10; Pro22:1)

1 Timothy 6:10 NASB95

10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Not the root of all evil, but all sorts of evil. Including and not limited to giving up your faith.

Psalm 62:10 ESV

10 Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them.

Ouch, harsh words, remember he is addressing the rich who are rich because of ill gotten gains.

Proverbs 22:1 NASB95

1 A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold.

It is better to be a man of good word than illegal wealth.

This judgment is a very serious thing, to the believer we will stand before the judgment seat of Christ and give an account. And the unbelievers before the Great White Throne, the believers for their works, the unbelievers their sins.

Riches will vanish (Jm5:2-3) - rot, be moth-eaten, and rust

Riches can erode character (Jm5:3; 1Tim6:10; Ps62:10; Pro22:1)

Riches bring judgment (Jm5:3, 5) both judgment now, and future

Judgment now is the riches can be taken away, can rot, can be moth-eaten and can rust. And the future, well you have all you are going to get now, for there is nothing in store for you in the future except condemnation.

When judgment comes there will be witnesses called:

Witnesses to be called for judgment

Wages (Jm5:4) - the stolen wages cry out against you

Workers (Jm5:4) - the cheated workers cry out

Notice again - who hears the cry from wages and workers

James 5:4 NASB95

The Lord of Sabaoth, let’s see what we can know about Him.

The title “the LORD of Sabaoth” means “the LORD of hosts.” It is a title of JEHOVAH God's military might, His strength to fight and win battles. The LORD is commander of the angelic soldiers as well as the armies of Israel (“the LORD of hosts” is defined in as “the God of the armies of Israel”).

The mighty warrior commander is hearing the cries of the cheated workers.

James indicates judgment is coming! It was not many years after this that AD70 happens and Jerusalem, the Temple and everyone’s riches in Jerusalem were destroyed. The Lord of Sabaoth delivered judgment.

So, again, there is nothing wrong with having riches, but how we get them, what we do with them matters. It is possible to be poor in this world and yet be rich (Jm2:5) and it is possible to be rich in this world and yet poor (1Tim6:17); the spiritual condition of your heart matters (Mt6:21) add to that (Mt6:19-24)

You can see a parallel in the Sermon on the Mount, give you that before we close out, give a couple of thoughts and call it all good.

Matthew 6:19–20 NASB95

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;

Matthew 6:21–22 NASB95

21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light.

Matthew 6:23–24 NASB95

23 “But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

Don’t store up earthly treasures (Mt6:19)

Store up heavenly ones (Mt6:20) this is loss prevention no rotting, no moth eaten, no rust.

Don’t let the darkness of this world give you a bad eye, don’t let the lure of riches take you out of the kingdom and back into the world.

Use your resources for the kingdom of God and the glory of God.

(Encouragement slide- God’s resources) encouragement (Encouragement slide 2) prayer (exit slides)

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