Pastor Chris’ Corona Quarantine Epistles to the Flock of AIC Ngong Road, in Dispersion and Isolation. 63rd. Edition.
Dear Strangers and Aliens in this World,
As we enter the final stretch in the book of James, the first six verses of chapter five deal with the handling of wealth. We will break this section into two. Tomorrow we will deal with Holding what others Have Earned (5:4-6) but we begin today with Hoarding what you do not Need (5:1-3). The certainty of the Coming Judgment (v. 1). Even though nothing has happened yet, the rich are to weep and howl, because miseries will definitely be upon them. We want to reiterate here that wealth is not evil and there is nothing wrong with being rich. In fact, wealth is a blessing from God, “who gives us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17b). Problems with wealth fall into several categories:
1. The love of money (1 Timothy 6:10).
2. Wealth acquired dishonestly.
3. Failure to help the needy.
4. Feeling of superiority over others.
5. The use of wealth to manipulate people. But wealth is good and has great potential for service to God and to his people. When wealth distracts, takes the place of God, or is misused, expect judgment. In fact, begin to howl, already.
Corruption of riches (v. 2). The word corrupt means decay or rot. The picture here is of wealth that is kept so long, it goes bad, and clothes that are kept in the closet become moldy from non-use. When we hoard what we don’t need, it eventually is of no use to us. It is the same as decayed or moldy things. Corrosion of Gold and Silver (v. 3). Even though gold and silver do not corrode, the exaggeration here is to emphasize the folly of hoarding. The wealth that is not used is no different from what has rusted. On the day of judgment, the same will be a witness against us. Money is never enough. Once the love of money takes root in one’s heart, the craving for more becomes insatiable. We all have heard of the colossal amounts stolen from the public coffers. I am sure that like me you ask, What would anyone do with so much money? The answer is nothing. Even if you have a ten-room house and a bed in each, you can only sleep in one bed. You can have ten cars but you can only ride in one. Everything that sits idle, while the needy starve, is gathering evidence against you.
Set yourself free from the love of money and things, learn to give. You will be surprised how much you have missed. Joy and generosity are twins.
Your Loving Pastor Chris.