Studies in James

1. Studies in James Presentation 18

2. The Structure of the Book Introduction and Trials in the Christian Life (1: 1-8) Happiness in our Circumstances(1: 9-11) Trial, Temptation and Gift (1: 12-18) Hindrances to Fruitfulness(1: 19-21) Doers and Hearers (1: 22-25) True Religion (1: 26-27) Favouritism (2: 1-7) The Royal Law (2: 8-12a) Showing Mercy (2.12b-13] Faith and Works (2:14-26) Teachers and the Tongue (3: 1-12) True and False Wisdom, (3: 13-17) Peacemakers (3: 18) Defeat Through Lack of Submission(4: 1-6) Victory Through Submission(4: 7—10) Judging One Another (4: 11-12) Boasting of Tomorrow (4: 13-17) The Misuse of Wealth(5: 1-6) The Need of Patience (5: 7-12) Appropriate Responses (5:13-16) Restoring the Wanderer (5:17-20) Presentation 18

3. The Misuse of Wealth Chap 5v1-6 Presentation 18

4. Introduction Why is the church not making a greater impact upon the world? James has been answering that question throughout this epistle. He has not said we need a fresh approach to evangelism BUT a deep moral cleansing to flush away all that blocks our useful to God. Some may be tempted to ask, for a second opinion, a more palatable diagnosis. The biggest mistake the church can make is to refuse James' appeal for a such a moral transformation. Only when the church can be clearly distinguished from the world, will the world be prepared to listen to what the church has to say. This is particularly true of the subject of wealth. Presentation 18

5. Hoarded Wealth Neither Jesus, James nor any other Biblical writer teaches that the possession of wealth is wrong. They do not suggest that a prudent provision for one’s family or retirement is wrong. People sometimes misquote the bible and say "money is the root of all evil". It is not! It is “LOVE of money, which is the root of all evil”. It is the "gold fever" which makes the possession of riches the grasping obsession of our lives, that the Bible warns against. Put another way, the Bible is asks whether we are hoarders or distributors of wealth. Cf. v3"You have hoarded wealth..." Presentation 18

6. Hoarded Wealth Society is determined to promote "the grasping hand". We're persuaded to pile up more than we really need. In the West many businesses attempt to sell investments that will enable you to retire 10 years earlier, afford a world cruise, and buy a dream house. And you're made to feel inadequate if you don't share these goals. Joining ‘the grasping hand movement’ can mean your wife and children rarely see you as you work day and night. And if you have to work instead of attending worship, then that's just too bad. Riches can become the driving obsession in our lives, the dearest idols of our hearts. Why should this invite the displeasure of God? Presentation 18

7. False Security First, hoarded wealth provides a false security. At first we cannot imagine life without it. Then we begin to place our trust in it. Then it becomes the great security of our lives: cf. The rich young ruler.. Lk.18.18ff. “Good master what must I do to inherit eternal life?”. He was looking for eternal security. He was persuaded of its value. What was Jesus reply? "Sell what you have...." Why did Jesus answer this particular man in that way? Was he saying that wealth was incompatible with Christianity? No! Jesus was able to look into the heart of this young man and see that he trusted his wealth more than God to guide him securely through life. Presentation 18

8. False Security When investment in the stock market seems uncertain, or a threat of war is immanent, there is a great rush to buy gold and precious metals. “Its the best security the marketplace can offer”. But James makes it clear in v2-3 that confidence in such riches is foolishly misplaced. He describes hoarded wealth first as a wardrobe of moth eaten clothing and then as precious metals corroded by rust. James is saying the folly of hoarding wealth is that it does not provide a ‘lasting security’. It is not a failsafe way to provide for your future. When you stand before God you will realise the worth of what you trusted in. Wealth is a false security. Presentation 18

9. False Security Indeed, James may be saying more than that, for moth-holes and rust cannot be hidden, they tell a sad story of long disuse. To hoard money which we keep unused is a betrayal of the material gifts God has given us. Thomas Manton said, "God gave us wealth not that we should be hoarders but dispensers". It is a startling fact that often those who are best equipped to give to those in need are often also those who are most reluctant to do so. Hoarded wealth, says James, will testify against us on the Day of Judgement. Presentation 18

10. An Object of Worship A second danger of hoarded wealth is that it soon displaces God from our lives. When we make wealth the basis of our security and the object of our trust and the consuming passion of our lives, it fills the place in our hearts reserved for God. Wealth is no longer our servant, a stewardship to be used by us. It becomes a master and we its slaves to do its bidding. You may recall that on his teaching on the subject of wealth in Lk16.13, Jesus pointed out the impossibility of serving two masters. "You cannot serve both God and money." This is precisely what the rich ruler was attempting to do. Presentation 18

11. An Object of Worship The Bible teaches that material blessing is from the Lord. But Ps.62.10 says, "If riches increase set not your heart upon them". Many Christians have been blessed materially by God and then gradually the love and loyalty of their hearts have moved from God to their wealth? The owner of McDonald’s fast food restaurant says he begins his day saying, "God, family McDonalds” but by the time he arrives at work the order is often reversed to, "McDonald's, family and God". The Bible speaks of the deceitfulness of riches and frighteningly the attitude that James is warning against, can possess our hearts, whether we have £5or £5million in the bank. Presentation 18

12. The Corruption of Wealth A further danger of the grasping hand concerns the way in which that wealth is accumulated cf v4 “Look the wages you failed to pay...” If a man wants wealth badly enough he will use unjust means to obtain it. This passion for wealth can corrupt morality and warp reason. In some lands children are paid small sums of money for making carpets. And the oppressor is quick to justify his behaviour. The O.T. book of Amos describes ways in which the grasping hand seeks to amass great wealth, including enslaving others. Government officials have been known to hide their country’s money in personal Swiss bank accounts. Presentation 18

13. The Corruption of Wealth The grasping hand can invade the structure of the church. Jesus was enraged when the Pharisees exploited the vulnerable; "Woe to you teachers of the law and Pharisees you hypocrites! You devour widows houses and for a show make lengthy prayers.” cf. Matt 23.14 alsocf Lk16.13-14 There can be ulterior motives in Christian service aimed at exploiting others. Note Paul’s response 1 Cor.4.12, 2 Cor. 12.14 When the Christian refuses to allow his faith to challenge his business practice and allows himself to be influenced more by the grasping hand than by the nail pierced hand, then his morals are corrupted and those he deals with are oppressed. James reminds us that the cries of the oppressed are heard by God. Presentation 18

14. The Carelessness of Wealth Finally, we see the carelessness of the grasping hand in v5-6. God does not forbid us pleasure. He is no spoilsport. But to live for pleasure and self-gratification is another matter. The man in view here gives no thought to abusing his riches in the most foolish manner. A primary school pupil arrived daily with pound notes in his pocket. He would buy Fanta and sweets consume a little, then pour the rest on the ground. He enjoyed saying to others “I prefer to waste it than share it". James sees the link between extravagant indulgence and the hard unfeeling heart it produces. When the poor people of Paris complained of a lack of bread, it is reported that Queen Marie Antoinette said uncompassionately, "Let them eat cake". Presentation 18

15. The Carelessness of Wealth This spirit of carelessness turns the grasping hand into a strangling hand as the wealthy become indifferent towards the lives of others. cf v6 "You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you". The wealthy are often in a position of power and that power can be so easily abused. The world's biggest gold rush is in Brazil. About 40,000 gold prospectors arrived bringing with them diseases against which local Indians have no immunity. The Brazilian court ruled that all the prospectors must leave. Then surprisingly the justice minister said they could stay even if his own countrymen continued to die. God hates oppression and James tells us the ‘rich oppressors are like beasts fattening themselves for slaughter’. Presentation 18

16. Conclusion When both the church and individual Christians are seen to be influenced more by the crucified hand than by the grasping hand then the world will sit up and take notice. Only God can deal with the spirit of the grasping hand, when it seeks to exert its influence in our lives. Only he can provide the strength we need to resist it. And he does that when we ask him! Presentation 18