From Darkness to Light
God's Call and Responsibilities
Not Many Elite Called
Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5) James 5:1-11 New International Version Warning to Rich Oppressors5 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. 2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.[a] 6 You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you. Patience in Suffering7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming.See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.9 Don't grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! 10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
For Reflection
When James is speaking of the rich, he seems to be referring to those who gain wealth from the oppression of others. Certainly, our early American industrial expansion is a testimony to those upon whose backs the vast wealth was created. But, unfortunately, we have also seen the fall of those Titans of industry. The evidence of the decomposition of those societies is everywhere.
Yet we still seem to favor the oppressors. We assign all kinds of worthiness to them. We pay them homage as though without their wealth; we cannot survive economically.
But it is not the wealth that is at issue. It is how that wealth is obtained. "These 'rich people' are doomed both for how they acquired their wealth and for what they did (or didn't do) with it once they had it."*
*https://www.theologyofwork.org/new-testament/general-epistles/james-faith-works/oppression-of-workers-james-51-6 PrayPray for our leaders of industry. Pray that they will realize the impact of oppressive policies and practices. Pray for the pressed that they might have patience and hope.
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