Why the Wealthy Weep-Reflections on James 5:1-6
James 5:1-6 is one of the most blunt passages in the New Testament regarding wealth. James speaks with a prophet’s tongue in this brief, pointed passage. A cursory look at this passage should scare most Americans as we are among the richest of the rich from a global perspective.
This brief reflection is not another rant against capitalism or the evil American Empire. Nor is it a justification of wealth. I am simply posing some questions that I was forced to ask myself as I read this passage. Earlier in James the author talks about a man who hears God’s word but does not do anything with it is like a man who looks in the mirror and then forgets what he looks like. As I read these verses, I was forced to look in the mirror and respond.
“Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you.” (James 5:1).
Why should the wealthy weep? James 5 gives us at least four reasons:
- Their wealth will not last. It is only temporal.
- They have sinned against their brothers and sisters by hoarding and not helping.
- They will be judged and condemned for their selfish use of temporal things.
- They have been adding to their material treasures as if the world will go on forever.
As I reflect on this passage, the primary question I must ask as I look in the mirror is simply this: “Am I wealthy as James defines wealthy?”
Using these four reasons the wealthy should weep, I will begin to answer this.
- Their wealth will not last. Do I have a proper perspective of material possessions in relation to my citizenship in the Kingdom of God? I must see material things as temporal and therefore of secondary priority. When this perspective is skewed my trust moves from that which is eternal to that which will not last. If I trust in something temporal, it will fail me and I have offended that which is eternal.
2. They have sinned against their brothers and sisters by hoarding and not helping. Have I sought material gain on the backs of my fellow men? This is more than asking if I have cheated someone or not paid a worker well. This is about being socially conscientious about every aspect of my life. For example: do I seek a cheaper price on something without considering those who produced the product. Am I willing to pay less knowing that someone less fortunate than me payed the difference?
3. They will be judged and condemned for their selfish use of temporal things. Do I use temporal things simply to get more stuff for me? This is an issue of ownership. When I see myself as an owner, I put myself in the place of God. This is the ultimate act of self-indulgence! When I see myself as an asset manager, temporal things are a tool for God that I get to use and not an end for my enjoyment.
4. They have been adding to their material treasures as if the world will go on forever. Do I see the world as all there is or do I really believe God has a bigger plan in place that mades this world seem trite? When my trust is in this world, I will be disappointed. When my focus is my pleasure, I am worshiping myself. This, again, is the ultimate slap in the face of God!
I return to my question, “Am I wealthy as James defines it?” The answer is not as simple as “yes” or “no.” I catch myself falling into the trap of wealth at various times and in various ways. I sometimes view wealth as more than temporal. I sometimes seek better deals without regard to who paid the cost for the cheaper price. I am guilty of occasionally being self-indulgent and only seeing this world without and eternal perspective.
BUT…
I am now aware of my vice. The biggest accusation James makes against the wealthy is that they were oblivious to their sins. Though the wages they failed to pay cried out against them, they did not hear. They did not see the plight of those they oppressed.
Today, James’ accusation against the wealthy (i.e. Americans!) is not about having wealth, rather his accusation stems from our inability to see the oppression and inequalities that produced our wealth. His accusation rings true when we move glibly through life without regard to those that we step on as we go.
When our perspective moves from me having wealth to me managing God’s resources, I will become keenly aware that I am not God and therefore all that I “have” is really not mine anyway. I will treat “my” things and my pursuit of things as something of secondary importance. I will not let things consume me, rather I will let my citizenship in the Kingdom of God consume me.
May we have eyes to see and ears to hear the movements of the Kingdom of God in our midst. May our hearts be stirred with a longing for God, the eternal. May the temporal things around us be reminders of what is most important.
-Pastor Jason
