Warning to the Wealthy
The Epistle of James states,
“Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 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.
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.
You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.
You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.” James 5:1-6.
Here is a warning to the wealthy about their actions.
Now lets make it clear here the apostle Paul states,
“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.” 1 Timothy 6:10.
Note it is the love of money that can cause problems. Money is an inanimate object it is neither good nor evil in and of itself. It is how it is used that cause the problem.
The warning James is making here is to tell the wealthy to live and use your wealth in a moral way. Not to take advantage of those who work for you or come in contact with you.
Many years ago when I was considering going into business a very wise person told me,
“when you go into business make sure you can pay those who work for you a living wage. Not the minimum wage.”
He noted the minimum wage was only put in place because some in the business owners would not without being forced pay even a subsistence wage which is what my friend believed minimum wage to be.
He noted again wisely that it was those who worked for the business owner who were the ones who helped make the business owner wealthy. That they should be rewarded for their labours even if it meant earning a little less profit.
James is telling all wealthy believers in Christ and for that matter everyone to treat their employees in a moral and ethical way.
This is what James is telling believers. He is warning them that while earthly judges may not judge them God will.
Please think about it.
The Epistle of James states,
“Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 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.
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.
You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.
You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.” James 5:1-6.
Here is a warning to the wealthy about their actions.
Now lets make it clear here the apostle Paul states,
“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.” 1 Timothy 6:10.
Note it is the love of money that can cause problems. Money is an inanimate object it is neither good nor evil in and of itself. It is how it is used that cause the problem.
The warning James is making here is to tell the wealthy to live and use your wealth in a moral way. Not to take advantage of those who work for you or come in contact with you.
Many years ago when I was considering going into business a very wise person told me,
“when you go into business make sure you can pay those who work for you a living wage. Not the minimum wage.”
He noted the minimum wage was only put in place because some in the business owners would not without being forced pay even a subsistence wage which is what my friend believed minimum wage to be.
He noted again wisely that it was those who worked for the business owner who were the ones who helped make the business owner wealthy. That they should be rewarded for their labours even if it meant earning a little less profit.
James is telling all wealthy believers in Christ and for that matter everyone to treat their employees in a moral and ethical way.
This is what James is telling believers. He is warning them that while earthly judges may not judge them God will.
Please think about it.
