Woes of Wealth Without God

Dear Diary,

The life-changing gospel according to James: Woes of wealth without God, James 5:1-6

Someone said, "Money is like a loaded gun, it can be extremely advantageous in certain circumstances, or  might hurt your and others."

It seems that the Bible mentions a variety of wealth related topics more than any other subject. In this last chapter of the gospel according to James, the author brings to our attention the dangers of pursuing riches and the fact of the imminent judgment, v. 1. Are there Christians in the church who are rich and guilty of the sin James is confronting in James 5:1-6? It is not sin to be rich, however the pursuit of riches can become an obstacle and a motivation for every conceivable sin. 1Tim 6:9-10, “Those who long to be rich, however, stumble into temptation and a trap and many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils. Some people in reaching for it have strayed from the faith and stabbed themselves with many pains.”

James 5:2-6, James lists four crimes that the wicked rich committed in their pursuit for riches: the first crime was hoarding wealth, v. 2-3. The wicked rich had stored up so much wealth that it rotted and their clothes moth-eaten; gold and silver corroded, v. 2-3. What’s evil about that?  Their uncontrolled greed resulted in oppression of the poor and ultimately destruction of their (wicked rich) lives, v.4-6!  Because of their greed, they committed the second crime. That is, they refused to pay wages to their labourers, v. 4. The workmen complained about their unpaid dues and their complaints reached the Almighty God who hears the cries of his people. The third crime was luxury and self-indulgence, v. 5. In their dishonest extravagant indulgence, the wicked rich committed the fourth crime-they condemned and murdered the innocent men, v.6.

The Biblical principles of wealth

Here are some nine principles: First principle is, God is the source and the owner of everything. We only manage it for His glory. Second principle is giving, Luke 6:38. We ought to seek out ways to meet the needs of others. When God blesses us, He expects us to use a portion of that wealth to serve others in His name. Third principle is saving, Prov 21:20. Fifth principle, keep out of debt, Prov. 22:7. Sixth principle is contentment, Heb 13:5. Seventh principle, do not consign, Prov 27:13. Eighth principle is working hard, Prov 14:23; 28:19. Ninth principle is seeking godly counsel. Without the solid foundation in Biblical principles, it is easy to lose all the amassed wealth. This is the proper spiritual stewardship. We need to realize that it is not the money that is the problem, but our attitude toward it.

The judgment that awaits the wicked rich is explicitly defined. First of all, the wealth that they have accumulated will not endure, but will perish. Ultimately, there’s an imminent judgment. Friends, you are only a steward of the wealth God has given you. Use it properly-in ways that glorify God.

Faithful scribbler,

NzakuNashipae