Chico Alliance Church
Pastor David Welch
“Fate of the Selfish Rich”
REVIEW
this is our 24th excursion in front of the mirror of God’s word. James serves as a mirror to examine the true nature of our trust in God. So far, we have explored several life categories requiring a faith response. James included instruction and insight regarding those categories.
I. Faith’s response to trials and temptation 1:2-27
Consistently respond to trials with joy realizing their value in our growth.
Confidently ask God for wisdom knowing He will give it. 1:5-8
Focus on your spiritual riches. 1:9-11
God rewards endurance 1:12
Don’t blame God for temptations 1:13-18
Receive and practice the implanted word of truth. 1:18-27
II. Faith’s response to partiality and prejudice 2:1-13
Resist the inclination to partiality and prejudice by loving others as ourselves.
III. Faith’s true nature 2:14-26
Believe God and behave godly.
Genuine faith in God is demonstrated by obedience to God
IV. Faith’s response to conversation 3:1-12
Control your speech realizing the destructive nature of negative speech.
V. Faith’s way of life 3:13-4:12
Live according to the wisdom from above.
1. Claiming wisdom without living wisely makes you a liar. 3:14
2. Human wisdom arises from three sources – earthly, soulish, demonic 3:15
3. Jealousy and strife breed a multitude of other evils 3:16
4. Wise living promotes righteous living 3:17-18
5. The war within ourselves triggers wars with others 4:1-3
6. Friendship with the world is enmity with God 4:4
7. God jealously desires intimate relationship 4:5
8. God gives grace to the humble 4:6
James provided a process of cleansing the polluted heart.
1. Submit to God.
2. Resist the devil and he will flee
3. Draw near to God and He will draw near.
4. Cleanse your hands and heart (actions and attitudes)
5. Get serious about your sin.
6. Humble yourselves before God.
7. Don’t speak evil against one another.
VI. Faith’s response to God’s will 4:13-17
Discern and do the will of God.
VII. Faith’s response to suffering and persecution 5:1-12
Patiently endure
In this section, James deals with persecution of Christians. How should faith respond to persecution?
What should our focus be? How do we respond? James first excoriates the persecutor and then encourages the persecuted. He called the persecutors to weep and howl anticipating the coming judgment. He called the persecuted to endure and not groan anticipating the coming blessing.
James used a literary device as a form of encouragement for the persecuted. He addresses a group of people that not present to encourage the intended audience. James seeks to encourage the persecuted by helping them realize that those who were persecuting them will ultimately answer to God for their actions. Verses one through six, clearly does not address rich Christians in the body. He does not even use the word brother, or brethren. He simply pronounces judgment. The tone is very blunt. It resembles the tone of some of the prophets exposing the people’s sin. It is quite different than the other sections bluntly calling out sin. Even though he called those Christians making friends with the world adulterers, he also invited them to humble themselves.
He does not call these selfish rich people to repentance. In contrast, he used the word brothers three times in the encouragement section.
He wants encouraged the persecuted to…
A. Realize the ultimate plight of the selfish persecutor
B. Realize the ultimate prize of the enduring persecuted
This week we will focus on the persecutors and their ultimate plight, and next week we will focus on the persecuted and their future prize and present responsibility.
A. Realize the ultimate plight of the selfish persecutor
1. Their condemnation is certain
Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. 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! James 5:1-3
The “come now” is a call to listen up, pay attention, get ready for a zinger. The instruction “weep and howl”.
Weep is to sob out loud, the response associated with the death of a loved one. Howl is to shriek or scream.
Wail, for the day of the LORD is near; as destruction from the Almighty it will come! Isaiah 13:6
The cause for such an emotional display is the realization of coming judgement. It’s the reaction of the merchants when Babylon falls in the end times.
And the kings of the earth, who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her, will weep and wail over her when they see the smoke of her burning. They will stand far off, in fear of her torment, and say, “Alas! Alas! You great city, you mighty city, Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.” Revelation 18:9-10
James does not call for repentance or change. There is no expectation of change only condemnation. He announced a certain judgment coming that would bring about misery. They enjoyed luxury for now, but misery would come later. “Misery” means hardship, suffering distress. It is like the cry of the rich man Jesus told about.
And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ Luke 16:24
The focus of their misery has to do with the disappearance of their wealth. James included three illustrations showing the temporary nature of riches. In 4:14, James called our attention of the shortness of life. Here he calls attention to the temporary nature of material wealth. He used three perfect tense verbs indicating a state of decay already begun. Rotted riches. Moth-eaten clothes. Rusted gold and silver.
James again demonstrates his familiarity with the teaching of Jesus. The material wealth of these particular rich people, whose crimes appear shortly, would slowly lose their value. The nature of material things is that they diminish in value. Things break, close wear out, the stock market crashes, house values fall, electronic stop working, cars wear out food rots, investments fail – – you get the idea.
As we have mentioned before, a study of those who one large sums of money through the lottery end up bankrupt within five years. James knew that silver and gold don’t really rust, but they can lose their value and became as useless as rusted iron. He was looking to a spiritual corrosion or corruption and poison. The value of what man values most here will have no value in eternity. The value of gold there, will be as the value of pavement here.
There are so many things that money can’t fix; especially regarding eternal matters.
Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. Proverbs 11:4
The diminishing value of material wealth would become a witness of guilt and an instrument of wrath. They thought they were storing for sweet retirement but were storing up agonizing wrath. It’s like clutching a gold bar after your boat capsizes in the ocean. What you considered valuable now becomes the cause for your demise. Like dying in a house fire because you tried to gather all your stuff.
Jesus encouraged the rich ruler to focus on storing up heavenly treasures.
Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." Matthew 19:21
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21
But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?' "So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." Luke 12:20-21
You will make them as a fiery oven in the time of your anger; The LORD will swallow them up in His wrath, And fire will devour them. Psalm 21:9
Sometimes judgment comes even before the final judgment.
In 1923 a group of financial giants gathered together at the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago. Their combined worth totaled more than worth of the United States treasury. For years these men had been admired and respected as examples of success and prosperity. A follow-up after 23 years revealed Charles Schwab president of the largest independent steel company had died penniless. Arthur Cutton millionaire wheat speculator met the same disappointing end. Richard Whitney, president of the New York Stock Exchange served several years in prison. Albert Fall, a member of the presidential cabinet had been pardoned from prison, so he could die at home. Jesse Livermore, the greatest “bear” on Wall Street committed suicide. Ivan Kruger, head of the world’s greatest monopoly also took his own life.
Unfortunately, for those who didn’t know Jesus, their misery didn’t end there. All of us store up treasure for the future. How much better to store up treasure in heaven that doesn’t suffer the diminishing effects of this broken world. James is clear that the issue is not money or being rich. As he details in the next three verses the issue is what we do with that money. Judgment is not for being wealthy but for misusing wealth.
2. Their crime is clear.
James exposed the sins of the rich persecutors.
a. Withholding just wages
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.
James included another warning to listen up, pay attention. The wealthy bought up or even fraudulently confiscated the lands of the small farmers which left the poor make their living by working in their fields.
The also held back the just wages due or even defrauded the workers by not paying them what was promised.
James used a perfect tense verb indicating an action in the past and still going on. They withheld wages and were still holding on to them.
Obviously not a new thing even for the New Testament. Scripture instructs employers to pay their employees in a timely manner. In New Testament times, people worked all day just for enough money to eat. If they weren’t paid, they didn’t eat. God addressed the problem way back in the Old Testament.
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. Leviticus 19:13
The Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” 1 Timothy 5:18
Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness, and his upper rooms by injustice, who makes his neighbor serve him for nothing and does not give him his wages, Jeremiah 22:13
“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the LORD of hosts. Mal 3:5
Notice the other sins equated with withholding wages.
This indictment could be expanded to withholding goods that might help someone in need.
If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? James 2:15-17
How much food is wasted and food left to rot in the fields that could help those who are hungry?
Paul instructed the rich in his day.
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19
There are many implications regarding how we treat others in this area.
James declares that just as the “rust” cried out against the rich, the “withheld wages” as well as the persecuted cry out and their outcry has reached the ears of the Lord of hosts (angel armies). Again, the perfect tense indicates the fact that the cry has reach the Lord’s ears and it is still reverberating. Serious business.
b. Luxurious living
You have lived luxuriously on the earth
The term indicates a lifestyle of over self-indulgence. This was a life that focuses on stuff. Lifestyles of the rich and famous. Paul commented to Timothy about certain widows living in luxury.
but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. 1 Timothy 5:6
c. Wanton pleasure
and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.
Not only was their life focused on stuff but sensual pleasure. Such a life style not only made them physically fat but also fattened up their hearts for judgment. This is like the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah. It is not what we normally think.
Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy. Thus they were haughty and committed abominations before Me. Therefore I removed them when I saw it. Ezekiel 16:48-50
This accurately describes today’s culture with its focus on food and pleasure and clothes and looks and sensuality.
Amos excoriated the rich women of Samaria.
“Hear this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who say to your husbands, ‘Bring, that we may drink!’ The Lord GOD has sworn by his holiness that, behold, the days are coming upon you, when they shall take you away with hooks, even the last of you with fishhooks. And you shall go out through the breaches, each one straight ahead; and you shall be cast out into Harmon,” declares the LORD. Amos 4:1-3
Not unlike the central issues of a worldly focus that John warned about.
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17
James earlier zeroed in on the core sins of selfish ambition and jealously.
d. Heartless persecution
You have condemned and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you. James 5:4-6
Such a self-centered focus eventually leads to mistreating others. That persecution and mistreatment runs anywhere from court action to actual physical harm. Earlier, James talked about those who drive the poor into court.
Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty. Prov 22:16
Even though I don’t believe that James had Christians in mind, Paul warned that a focus on money might prove destructive even for Christians.
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. 1 Tim 6:9-10
Perhaps James hoped that graphically calling attention to the ultimate judgment of the selfish rich would be like what we find in Psalm 73. The author struggled with the prosperity of the wicked.
Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek. They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind. Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment. Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies. They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression. They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongue struts through the earth. Therefore his people turn back to them, and find no fault in them. And they say, “How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?” Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches. All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence. For all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning. If I had said, “I will speak thus,” I would have betrayed the generation of your children.
the author finally saw the light when he understood the ultimate end of the wicked.
But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin. How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors! Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms. When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you. Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works. Psalm 73:1-28
James hoped to encourage the persecuted by helping them to understand the ultimate plight of the persecutors in their hording, luxurious living, wanton pleasure and persecution of the helpless righteous.
Vengeance is mine declares the Lord. Take heart – patiently consider their end. Also, beware lest we succumb to their ways.
