Danger of Riches

Journey through James: 5:1-6

Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you. — James 5:1-6

James turns his attention from instructions to the church to the condemnation of the rich. This section of James differs from his reference to the rich in chapter 1, as he does not call for the rich people here to repent or turn. James does not refer to them as brothers but pronounces judgment against them. 

The rich have had a good life here on earth; however, James tells them that miseries and sufferings are coming for them. 

What truths can we learn from this passage directed to unrepentant rich people? For one, riches do not last. Earthly treasures rot and decay. Even precious metals can corrode. These riches are of no help when it comes to salvation; they cannot buy eternal security. James states that these hoarded riches are actually evidence against those who have them. They have laid up earthly treasures in these last days. This goes directly against Jesus’ direction in Matthew 6 about where we should lay up our treasures.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. — Matthew 6:19-21

Not only did these rich people hoard riches for themselves, but they also withheld payment from their employees. The rich people were oppressing those who were below them because they could get away with it. However, God is aware of all that takes place. These people lived indulgent lives while those who depended upon them suffered. We cannot serve God and money. Therefore, James deals harshly with these people.

The goal of this passage is not for us to develop hatred towards those whom we see as rich. It will hopefully serve as a warning to them and to us. While we may not consider ourselves rich, we have the propensity to have some of the same attitudes. These rich people were trying to provide heaven on earth. They indulged in everything that they wanted. As believers, we can also start to live in this world instead of living for heaven. We can begin to seek comfort in this world as opposed to seeking the kingdom of God. Just because we do not have an abundance of riches does not mean that we cannot live with the same wrong attitudes. May this passage be a warning to us. May we set our minds on the things of heaven and not on the things of earth. 

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. — Colossians 3:1-4