Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on 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.
James 5:1-3 NIV
James was writing here about wealthy landowners who gained their wealth at the expense of others—especially those who worked for them. And his words are filled with condemnation. There is coming a time when they will have to answer to God. And it will not be a good time for them.
And so, it is easy to view this passage as mostly irrelevant to me. After all, I am not a wealthy landowner. I have never had anyone working for me. And my wealth, such as it is, was not earned at the expense of others. Surely, James is not talking about me here.
But, alas, I am afraid he does include me here. A part of his charge is that these wealthy people have hoarded wealth in the last days. Rather than using what they have to help others, they are jealously guarding it for their own use and security. And I, like many people in my society, have fallen into that trap. Saving money just in case I need it later, having it as a security blanket.
From a worldly perspective, that is a wise thing to do, providing for my future. But is it not contrary to what Jesus teaches us (Matt. 6:25-34)? Should I not trust God’s provision for me rather than material wealth that is so uncertain?
I don’t believe there is anything inherently wrong with wealth. But, if we have it, we should be generous in sharing with others rather than hoarding it up for ourselves. Put your trust, not in your possessions and investments, but in our Father, who loves us beyond what we can imagine.
