James 5:1-6
The Misuse of Materialism

Intro: Our scripture reading this morning stated that we cannot serve two masters. Because of that, Jesus admonished us to store up riches in heaven.
Nothing more clearly reveals the state of a person's heart than his view of money and material possessions. Quote: John MacArthur -"Many who profess faith in Christ invalidate their claim to genuine saving faith through their opulent, indulgent, materialistic lifestyles - a clear indication that they serve wealth not God."
Illus. Little girl and two dollars. One dollar was for church, the other was for an ice cream cone. As she was walking along, she relaxed her grip on the money and one of the dollars blew away, never to be seen by her again. She thought about it for a moment and then replied, "Well, there went God's dollar."
Throughout the book of James, we are presented with tests of genuine saving faith. They are tests that validate or invalidate our claim to be a Christian. Here we are presented with another test. How do you view money? James is condemning those who profess to worship Deity, but in fact worship the dollar. He calls on each of us to examine the true
state of their hearts in light of how we feel about wealth. James is cautioning about the love of money that leads people to misuse the wealth.
The rich were repeatedly denounced in the OT. (Is 10:1-4, Amos 4:1-3) Though this letter is primarily addressed to rich fakers in the church, we can learn from this as well. We must be wary of falling into the same sins that characterizes unbelievers. The desire of James is that none would fall into the trap of loving money.
James commanded the rich to weep & howl. Weep=to sob out loud. Used to describe the wailing someone would do for a dead person. Also described an outward reaction that sometimes came from intense shame. Howl=shrieking or screaming - an intense outburst of despair or grief.
They are to weep and howl because of the forth-coming trouble they will face at judgment.
James notes four sins that precipitate the severe judgment pronounced upon the wicked rich.

In these last days, before the coming of the Lord, what does God want in our lives? Priorities. To live only to get wealth is to rob yourself of true riches (1 Tim 6:6-10, 17-19) It is to worry instead of worship (Matt 6:19-34) God know you have needs and He will meet them if you practice Matt 6:33
James tells us the following:

1. Their Wealth was Uselessly Hoarded (1-3)
Hoarding is one of the most widespread sins of our time. God entrusts believers with material goods so we may use them for His glory.
We are to care for our families
We are to advance the kingdom of God
We are to win the lost
We are to care for those in need
We are to support those in ministry
James gives us examples of how people hoarded.
With this he proclaims the sinful futility of hoarding wealth.
1.Verse 2a-Riches (in general) Key distinction is the word "rotted"
Foodstuffs
Perhaps like the rich young ruler - Lk 12:16-21
2. Verse 2b-Garments (outer) rich embroidery and textures with jewels. Handed down as heirlooms.
3. Verse 3-Precious metals - verb construction - to thoroughly and completely rust away.
Judgment on hoarders
The rust will be a witness
The rust will consume the flesh
The rust will condemn due to their insensitivity to the last days.

Hoarding one's possessions whether food, clothing, or money is foolish.
Earthly treasures are fleeting. - Prov 23:4-5 "Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like and eagle."
Gk = thesaurizo - thesaurus = a collection.
He is denouncing the spirit that must hoard every penny. Lk 12:15 -
"Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."
Picture is laying aside wealth for an uncertain future.
Need to exercise stewardship over all that God has given us.

2. The Warning Delivered Their Wealth was unjustly gained (4) Miseries = Day of Judgment
They exploited the poor.
Withholding wages from the poor. The verb tense indicates that they completely withheld, as opposed to a delay in paying their help. Day laborers were an essential part of Israel's economy. Scripture commanded the owners to be generous (Deut 15:9-11, Matt 6:2-4, Gal 2:10)
Jeremiah pronounced a curse -
22:13 "Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, his upper rooms by injustice, making his countrymen work for nothing, not paying them for their labor. Mal 3:5 "So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages who oppress the widows and the fatherless and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me, says the Lord Almighty.
The pay (literally) would cry out (scream as in the shrieks of demons
(Mk 9:26)

3. Their wealth was self indulgently spent (5)
3 verbs for description
1. Lived luxuriously - extravagance
Only place in the NT where this appears.
Luxury at the expense of others.
They stole to line their own pockets

2.Wanton pleasure - pursuit of pleasure & luxury.
Picture of making pleasure seeking a full time job.
A live of without self-denial
They were living solely to gratify themselves.
Quote: John MacArthur-"Those with money frequently close their eyes to the needs of others and the work of God, living solely to gratify their selfish, sinful desires."

3. Fattened hearts - picture of oppressive self indulgent robbers.
Solomon's confession about pleasure - Eccl 2:4-10 (Read)
Picture is of people who have surrounded themselves in wealth taken from their victims.

4. Their wealth was ruthlessly acquired (6)
This is the final progression in the downward spiral.
They would literally kill to maintain their opulent lifestyle.
Condemned - to pass sentence upon.
Even Israel had corruption within their legal system. Amos 5:12 "For I know how many are your offenses and how great your sins. You oppress the righteous and take bribes and you deprive the poor of justice in the courts."

In Conclusion:
If wealth is to be a source of blessing and not condemnation, it must not be uselessly hoarded, unjustly gained, self indulgently spent, or ruthlessly acquired. The Scriptures give us a clear positive picture of what God expects. It forms a fitting contrast to what we have read today. (1 Tim 6:17-19) "Command those who are rich I this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment."