Warning to the Rich
1Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. 2Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags.
If you are like me, there are certain snacks you cannot keep in the house because you will eat the entire box or bag in one sitting. For me, I cannot keep my favorite salty chips in the pantry. The truth is, we human beings are prone to habitual over-indulgence, and that over-indulgence extends far beyond over-consuming our favorite snacks. We are regularly encouraged to buy the best and newest piece of technology or the trendiest outfit without giving it a second thought. If we are not careful, overconsumption can take over our lives without us even realizing it, and, in the end, the things we were convinced we needed will not matter to us at all.
We are warned against overindulgence in a parable Jesus told in Luke 16. It is important to know that this parable took place shortly after Jesus said to a group of Pharisees who “dearly loved money,” “You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money” (verse 13). Several verses later, He launched into the parable that we looked at during the weekend message. Today, our focus will be on the first character found in this parable: a rich man who remains unnamed. This man was rich, dressed in the finest and most expensive clothing, and “lived each day in luxury” (verse 19). This man was not just wealthy; he was indulgent. His was a life of over-consumption. Later on in this parable, we find that this man died and “went to the place of the dead” in torment (verses 22-23). We will talk about the rest of this story later, but it is obvious that this unnamed rich man found that, in the end, he had not invested his life wisely. His story is a warning to us against over-consumption.
James warns against over-consumption in James chapter 5. He wrote in this passage of Scripture, “Look here, you rich people…Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags…the corrupted treasure you have hoarded will testify against you on the day of judgment” (verses 1-3). These are strong words against hoarding and consumerism. Lives focused on hoarding and consumerism are no way to live. They will rot and eat away at us. They are an abomination to God, and should be to us, as well.
In a world constantly telling us about the latest and greatest thing that will improve our lives, we have to actively fight against overindulgence and consumerism. Let’s choose contentment with what God has given us instead of constantly seeking more. After all, He always provides us with exactly what we need.
Moving toward action
In what area of your life are you prone to over-consumption? Maybe that area is clothing, the newest technological gadget, or home décor. Whatever that area is, confess it to God now. Acknowledge that you have been living with the mindset of over-consumption, and ask Him to help you as you set out to let go of that consumerism, knowing that these things will not matter at all in eternity.
Prayer Prompt: Use this prompt to guide you as you pray.
“God, as I reflect on the pitfalls of the sins of over-indulgence and consumerism, I confess…”
Going Deeper
James 5:1-20
1 Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. 2 Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This corroded treasure you have hoarded will testify against you on the day of judgment. 4 For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
5 You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and killed innocent people,who do not resist you.
Patience and Endurance
7 Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. 8 You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.
9 Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!
10 For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.
12 But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned.
The Power of Prayer
13 Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. 14 Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.
16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. 17 Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! 18 Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.
Restore Wandering Believers
19 My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, 20 you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.
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