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James 5:4–6
“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” (vv. 5–6).
Rich men and women who do not believe in Christ are the object of James’ oracle of judgment in James 5:1–6. As we have seen in verses 1–3, the Apostle condemns these people because of their misplaced trust in their wealth, which is transitory. The corruption that their wealth suffers over time as part of the decay that affects all creation will actually be a testimony against them at the last day, its degradation bearing witness that they were foolish all along to trust in their riches to save them.
Verses 4–6, which we are considering in today’s study, show us that James is addressing not the possession of wealth in itself but rather the misuse of that wealth. In the first-century Roman Empire, a small group of wealthy landowners was increasingly coming into possession of land. This created a situation in which many people had to hire themselves out as day laborers to these landowners. At the end of each day, the workers were to receive their wages, and it was especially vital that they be paid on time because they lived at a subsistence level. As we see in verse 4, however, many of the non-Christian wealthy landowners were holding back their wages. James condemns them for this mistreatment, for it violated biblical standards of justice (v. 4; see Deut. 24:15). James even warns that the workers’ cries have come to the ears of the “Lord of hosts,” which is a title that highlights God’s incomparable power (James 5:4; see also Isa. 1:24). The impoverished Christians may suffer for a time, but ultimately they have the all-powerful Creator looking out for them, and He will not acquit those who mistreat His people. John Calvin comments, “They who have the power of doing wrong ought to abstain from injustice, lest they provoke God against them, who is the protector and patron of the poor.”
James goes on to condemn the wealthy unbelievers for their luxury and self-indulgence (James 5:5). Scripture says that it is a gift of God to enjoy our possessions (Eccl. 5:19), so James cannot be condemning all personal enjoyment of one’s wealth. He has in view those who make personal pleasure their supreme good, who indulge their every craving without giving thought to helping those in need. In our current era, when we are encouraged to live only for the moment and to satisfy our every desire, James’ words should not be passed over quickly. Those who make an idol out of money and the goods and services that money can buy are fattening themselves up for slaughter on the last day (James 5:5).
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
God’s Word gives us great freedom in determining how we spend our money, so we must be careful about not judging what others do with their possessions. At the same time, we should regularly consider what we do with our resources and what our use of our wealth might say about our hearts. God wants us to enjoy His good gifts and to be generous to others who need our help.
For further study
- Proverbs 14:24; 22:16; 28:22
- Ecclesiastes 5:10
- 1 Timothy 6:17–19
The bible in a year
- Deuteronomy 34
- Luke 1:39–56