IF I WERE A RICH MAN
James 5:1-6
This past week I was reminded of what I shared with you last week about making plans and not consulting God. It’s important to remember that if God wills our plans will come to pass. And we need to trust Him to bring them to pass and if our plans are not His will then to trust Him with His other plans for us. We need to remember that our lives our temporary…as James said they are like a vapor that is here then is gone. Can you tell me what your life will be like tomorrow? I can think of 2 examples this past week that brought this home.
First, many of you know of a crash of an airplane Thursday night landing in Buffalo, New York. Most of us take air travel for granted and think nothing of it, expecting that we will make it to our destination OK. I’m sure those aboard the plane thought the same thing. But the plane crashed as it was getting ready to land at Buffalo killing all 48 passengers on board and 2 on the ground. For me it does affect me personally having worked for AA and having also been on the CARE Team which assists family members of those who have lost their lives in an incident like this one. It is the most emotionally draining thing I have ever done.
Friday afternoon, while looking at the alumni website for Dallas Theological Seminary I saw a picture of one of my seminary professors; Dr Harold Hoehner. I clicked on it and saw that he died Thursday at 74. He went out for his morning run and that afternoon was going to fly to SFO to attend the Jews for Jesus board meeting, which he was a member of. Instead, he collapsed after returning home and he died. This was totally unexpected and I am grieving over the loss of a professor and a friend. Dr Hoehner was a scholarly man. He was also a man who modeled grace. I never forgot what he told us in our course, Exegesis of Romans; “the goal of this is a changed life.” Something I always think about when working on a message…not to instruct people who know less than I do, or not to prove how smart I am, but to encourage them to allow God to work in their lives. It starts with me.
These 2 examples should remind us to live each day fully as if it might be our last, because we don’t know how much longer we have here.
Have any of you seen the play or movie “Fiddler on the Roof” about Tevye, a Jewish man who was married and had 5 daughters. He worked in a small town as a milkman, and often dreamed about what it would be like if he were rich. And he sings a song, “If I were a rich man,” in which he sings, or laments about what wealth would buy him. It would buy him a bigger house with it’s luxuries and he wouldn’t have to work so hard. He could spend more time in the synagogue praying and studying Torah if he didn’t have to work so many hours.
Can any of you identify with Tevye in saying, “if I were a rich man?” If only I had more money, if only I didn’t have to work, if only….
Most of us, including your truly, would be happier if we had more. Do you know what happens when we do get more? We want still more. Read about the lives of some of the richest people in the world. Ask yourself if they truly are happy. Because most of them aren’t. I’ve heard the story of one of the world’s wealthiest men being asked if there is anything else that would make him happy. He replied, “just a little more.”
See what happens? Riches don’t make you happy because you’re still wanting more. What’s the answer to this? I think Paul addressed this best in Philippians, learn to be content.
Philippians 4:11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
This didn’t come naturally to Paul. He had to learn it. If you read the context you will see he went through times of both having abundance and suffering need.
Let me start by saying that this passage we are going to look at does not condemn the rich. There is nothing wrong with being rich. What is wrong is having the world’s attitude. There are dangers and we are going to look at them as a warning to us.
We’re going to look at 2 aspects of the rich in reverse order; what the rich get and what the rich do. We’ll look first at the misery that you can expect if you’re rich and second we’ll look at what you do to make this happen.
Let me first say that James is not saying it is wrong to be rich. It is not evil. The problem with being rich is the temptation it brings. Paul says it best to Timothy.
1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Is money the root of all evil? Read the verse again before you answer. Money itself is not the root of evil. The love of money is the root of evil. This verse tells what it brings. A way to explain that is to tell you it brings a false sense of security, desire to control others and pride.
Most people think if they have enough money put away it brings security. Many people invest in the stock market. But if you’ve read the economic news over the last few months you know that the stock market is not the most secure place in the world. Investing is big in my country. But many people can tell you the size of their portfolios has dropped significantly. I have a stock portfolio and a 401K. Their value has gone down nearly 35% over the last few months. Ow! Money does not bring true security, it brings a false sense of security.
Desire for control. As a pastor, and this is very tragic, churches often appoint elders and deacons from the rich people in the congregation. And once in a position of authority these people try to control others with their money. Don’t believe me? I don’t even need to look at a church. When I was at AA, I’ve had calls from men who tell me they do several million dollars of business with AA and if we don’t give them what they want, they will take their business elsewhere. Still don’t believe me if money brings a desire for control? Has somebody ever asked you to do something you did not feel was right? And you say no. Then they offer you money to do it? On a higher level in business and churches, when someone rich is in control, they often try to control others with their money.
And money can also be a sense of pride. Some people will use this by saying, I gave so many dollars to so and so or such and such an organization last year. I’ve had people give me gifts for missions and I remember a large gift I received for a trip to China several years ago. The giver wanted to remain anonymous. He or she didn’t want me to know they were the ones who gave me the gift.
I don’t know Pastor Takao’s salary. I don’t want to know. I don’t know who the richest person is at SEFC. I don’t want to know. And I don’t know who gives the most to SEFC. I don’t want to know. Get the picture? These are some of the dangers of being rich. Again it is not a sin to be rich, but it is your attitude toward riches and others.
OK, let’s look at what the rich get. We’ll see that in the first 3 verses.
James 5:1 ¶ Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you.
This is not a time to celebrate. It is a time to mourn and a time to cry because of what is going to happen to you. Suffering is coming. Someone described this like in a courtroom. You are the defendant, you know you are guilty, and you are called before the judge to get what is coming. You know you’re going to get it. Or did any of your mothers tell you when you were little, “You wait until your father comes home. You’re going to get it.”This is the plight of those who are rich; you are in for some real misery. Because take someone who is rich, does not have God’s perspective on riches and loses it all. I guarantee you it’s not pretty. I’ve heard of people having nervous breakdowns at the result of losing everything. Many commit suicide. Nothing pretty here.
James 5:2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.
Have any of you lost everything or had clothes get eaten by moths? When James wrote this, people who were rich often showed it by what they wore. I’ve been to many weddings and learned that the bride was wearing the same wedding dress her mother wore. In some cases it is the same dress her grandmother wore. For a peace of clothing as valuable as a wedding gown, special care must be taken so it lasts. If it is just thrown into a closet it might lose it’s color, or the moths might come and destroy it. Just think, you still have your wedding gown and you’re hoping your daughter can one day wear it. And you throw it in your closet waiting for the big day. 25 years later the big day comes and you get your wedding gown only to find it has been destroyed. How would you react? Probably like the first verse describes.
But there’s even more as verse 3 describes. It.
James 5:3 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.
When you think of precious metals what is the first one you think of? What is the second one? Probably gold and silver, right? Don’t believe me? In the 1800’s people by the thousands were moving out west to California. Why? There was gold. You had to mine it and look for it yourself, but if you find it, it’s yours and you’ll be rich.
I’m going to show off my beautiful Rolex. Just look at this 18 carat gold and stainless steel. A little dull, so let me polish it a little. There, that looks better, doesn’t it? See, gold needs to be polished or it loses it’s shine and luster. If that happens it’s not worth so much any more. But that’s what can happened to gold and silver. They can get rusty or corroded. If that happens, they don’t have much value anymore. But it gets even worse. Because like James says it is a testimony against you on how you have misused riches and have the wrong attitude. It can destroy you. I think James is being figurative here, but it can do a lot of damage. It is often a sign of being lazy. Let me say this again, that there is nothing wrong with saving and investing. There’s a difference between that and hoarding. Don’t believe me? Read Proverbs.
Proverbs 21:20 In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.
A wise man doesn’t spend all that he has. A foolish man does and finds he has nothing when in need.
Proverbs 30:24 "Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise:
Proverbs 30:25 Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer;
Ants are interesting to watch. Because they are hard workers. They know there will come a time when food will be scarce, so they work to make sure they have enough when they will need it.
James doesn’t condemn saving and investing. He does condemn hoarding. What is hoarding? You simply keep putting your money away, but live like a miser, like it’s not even there. And if someone in need comes to you, you won’t give any to them. This is indication of poor stewardship; hoarding money. You know what is even more tragic? People who hoard it, and die and they have nothing left to show. I read about a man in Michigan who recently froze to death in his house during some very cold weather. The reason he froze to death was because his electricity was turned off. The reason his electricity was turned off was because he owed over $1,000 dollars in electric bills, he hadn’t paid. It was later found, that he had over $600,000. He left it all to the hospital.
It’s OK to save and invest your money, but be a good steward of it. You can always give to God’s work. If someone doesn’t have the money to help, that’s one thing. Having the money to help and not helping because you want to hoard it is another thing.
Judgment is coming. Let’s look at the last 3 verses. Let’s look at what these people do that brings them to this misery.
James 5:4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.
First, let’s look at those who fail to pay their workers what they owe them. Moses warns about this in Deuteronomy.
Deuteronomy 24:15 Pay him his wages each day before sunset, because he is poor and is counting on it. Otherwise he may cry to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin.
This is from the OT, but if you are an employer, you need to pay your workers a fair salary for their work. I know that when pay day is coming, I’m already thinking of how I’m going to spend it. I know I need to tithe and I have bills that are due. And I’ve had times when a bill is past due, and I call the company and I ask them if I can pay them Tuesday because I’m getting paid Tuesday. Often when we budget our money it is based on when we get paid. But then if you don’t get paid like you’re supposed to, and you have bills to pay and food to buy, what are you going to do?
There is a lot more I can say about an employer who does not pay his employees a fair salary, but notice the last part of the verse. God knows about it. He not only knows about it, He is the one who will help you. He is the one who provides and He is the one who is in control of all things. And your employer might think he is getting away with it, and nobody knows about it, but God knows about it. And remember all through the Bible He is the one who will bring about justice. Do you remember the parable of the widow and the unjust judge in Luke 18?
Luke 18:7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?
Remember how the woman kept asking the judge to give her protection from her opponent, who was unjust? He wouldn’t give it to her, but when she kept coming to him, he finally gave it to her. Why did he do this? Because of her persistence in coming to him. It would have enventually worn him out. It’s like a child, or it doesn’t even need to be a child, someone who won’t take no for an answer. They wear you out.
Jesus, in this parable contrasts the unrighteous judge with the righteous God. Look what he says in the next verses.
Luke 18:8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"
God knows about it, and He will bring about justice. But we need to be persistent in our faith. This passage is always an encouragement for me to keep praying when I don’t see answers. If you are being oppressed by your employer who won’t pay you your fair wages remember God knows about it. And He is the one who ultimately provides for all our needs.
James 5:5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.
This is the description of the one who has been lazy and self indulgent. Now of course I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking I shouldn’t be flying first class on the 777. Well all I’m going to say to that is nana nana nana. But you know what? I consider it a privilege to fly like I do, and I do help others in letting them fly on my passes. And they can brag about first class on the 777. Don’t believe me? Ask my friends in Kasukabe.
I like most Japanese food but the one thing I miss is a good steak. I’ve heard Kobe steaks are good but they are very expensive. Do you know what a cattle breeder does with his cows he wants to use for meat? He feeds them well so they get nice and fat. Because he knows when it is time for them to be slaughtered, and the meat will be sold he will make a lot of money.
James might be a little sarcastic, but like a cow awaiting slaughter, if you are rich and this describes you, you will face God’s judgment. Not punishment, but judgment with possible loss of reward. Remember all along James has been talking about being mature. One of the ways we can be mature is by being good stewards of what God has given us. If we are rich, we need to be good stewards of our wealth and use it to further the kingdom. I shared earlier about my seminary professor who died Thursday. I read the testimony of a former student who had to drop out of seminary because of finances. 2 years later he was able to come back and finish. When he came back, Dr Hoehner asked him why he dropped out of seminary. The student told him he didn’t have the money. Dr Hoehner asked him why he didn’t tell him, because he would have paid for his seminary. That is a wonderful illustration of good stewardship.
You know what the sad part is? The rich do have control. Often the poor person won’t oppose him because he does not have the money or resources to do so.
James 5:6 You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.
OK, is this literal or figurative. You might not have physically done anything to harm a poor person, but go back with me to verse 4 on withholding pay. If a person does not have money, he cannot buy food. If he doesn’t eat, he will eventually die. It’s a sad truth that the poor are often at the mercy of the rich. As James would say, “my brothers it should not be this way.”
Let me close with a few points. Like I said earlier, it is not a sin to be rich. Remember that money is not the root of evil, the love of money is the root of evil. I know some rich people who are some of the most godly people I know. Arthur DeMoss was such a man with hundreds of millions of dollars who used his organization for the kingdom. Have any of you seen the Power for Living books? Did you know those are free? The Arthur DeMoss Foundation puts those out free. Even though Arthur DeMoss died 30 years ago, he left his money to his foundation which uses money in many ways to share Jesus Christ with others. For example I read that DeMoss had fancy dinner parties in which he invited business executives to, and he used those dinner parties to share the gospel with these executives.
If you have money, instead of hoarding it, there are many ways you can use it to further God’s kingdom. Why am I telling you this? Because remember, you won’t take any of it with you when you die. Jesus in His parables often told His listeners to store up treasures in heaven.
Matthew 6:20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Notice the moths and rust doesn’t destroy and thieves do not break in. Here your treasures are secure.
Let me close with a verse a friend shared several months ago.
Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
She went on to say that we need money to live. It’s our attitude toward money. Learn to be content with what you have. If you haven’t you never will be. You’ll always want more. You’ll get more money, and you’ll still want more. Remember God is the one who meets our needs. He is the one who will never leave us or forsake us.
It’s not sin if you’re rich. It’s your attitude toward riches that James condemns. Don’t be like this person. Be like the one who is a good steward of what God has blessed you with. Use it to further His kingdom. Let’s pray.
