Wealth & PowerWealth & Power

James 5:1-6 (ESV) 1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries

that are coming upon you. 2 Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. 4 Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. 5 You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you. 

James Theology of MoneyJames Theology of Money

There will always be poorThere will always be poorThere are different types of poverty…Poverty because of sacrifice and faithfulness

Hebrews 11:36-38 36Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and

imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38of whom the world was not worthy— wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

Poverty Beyond Control Luke 16:19-31 – The Rich Man & Lazarus

1919"There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen "There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. and who feasted sumptuously every day. 2020And at his gate was And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 2121who who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores.Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores.

There will always be poorThere will always be poorThere are different types of poverty…Poverty From Stupidity or Sin

Proverbs 13:4 4 The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul

of the diligent is richly supplied. 2nd Thessalonians 3:10-12

1010For even when we were with you, we would give you this For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 1111For we For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. busybodies. 1212Now such persons we command and encourage in Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.living.

Scripture is absolutely correct when it asserts that there will always be poor. Matthew 26:11

11For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me.

Mo’ Money, Mo’ ProblemsMo’ Money, Mo’ Problems James 5:1

1 1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.upon you.

It will all rot away some dayIt will all rot away some day James 5:2-3

22 Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. 33Your Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days.in the last days.

Greed will be judged James 5:2-3

4 4 Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. 55 You have lived You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.

The sin of greed in James is highlighted by 2 events…The sin of greed in James is highlighted by 2 events… Fraud Self-indulgence

Only God Can Judge Me? James 5:6

66You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.does not resist you.

Let’s talk judgment…Let’s talk judgment… Everyone judges daily.Everyone judges daily. The people James is speaking to got rid of anyone that would The people James is speaking to got rid of anyone that would

not co-sign their sinful behavior.not co-sign their sinful behavior. To Judge doesn’t just mean condemn. It also means to separate To Judge doesn’t just mean condemn. It also means to separate

or to distinguish.or to distinguish. Good Theology & Bad Theology come from the same place (the Good Theology & Bad Theology come from the same place (the

bible)… – Pastor Likobible)… – Pastor Liko Let’s illustrate “Bad Theology”Let’s illustrate “Bad Theology” Matthew 7:1Matthew 7:1

11 “Judge not, that you be not judged.” “Judge not, that you be not judged.” Bad Theology reads that & stops right there.Bad Theology reads that & stops right there.

Only God Can Judge Me?Now let’s use Good Theology…Now let’s use Good Theology…Matthew 7:1-5Matthew 7:1-5

11 "Judge not, that you be not judged. "Judge not, that you be not judged. 22 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 33Why do you see the speck Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 44Or how can Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? own eye? 55You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

This verse is speaking about just judgment vs. unjust judgment. A Just judge This verse is speaking about just judgment vs. unjust judgment. A Just judge will not pass judgment on someone over something that they themselves are will not pass judgment on someone over something that they themselves are actively participating in. An unjust judge will judge someone for taking a actively participating in. An unjust judge will judge someone for taking a bribe while accepting bribes themselves. We know this is a proper context bribe while accepting bribes themselves. We know this is a proper context because Romans 2:1 teaches on judgment.because Romans 2:1 teaches on judgment.

Romans 2:1Romans 2:1 11Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment

on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.