Warning to the Rich

Scripture Reading: James 5:1-6, Leviticus 19:13, 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 1 Timothy 6:17-19

This is a hard, heavy word—for the rich.

Confession: When I read God’s Word, it’s far easier for sinful me to think of people who really need to hear His words instead of seeing how much I really need to hear them. It’s only when our gracious God opens the eyes of my heart that I see His Word is ever for me.

And I’d suggest that most of us reading this, whether we feel like it or not, are considered rich compared to the majority of the world. But regardless of how much money we have, this word is for each of us.

I heard a Bible teacher touch on James 5:4, encouraging us to consider how we tip people—seeing those serving us as the “workers” spoken of here:

Look! The pay that you withheld from the workers who mowed your fields cries out, and the outcry of the harvesters has reached the ears of the Lord of Armies.
—James 5:4

In college my husband worked as a server at Red Lobster. And although I didn’t know him then, I’m sure he worked with all his heart, only enjoying cheddar biscuits on his breaks. But instead of a tip, there were many times those he waited on left him a Christian tract—“Your treasure is in heaven.” Thankfully my husband knew he served a mighty and merciful God whose generosity isn’t defined by His people’s generosity or greed.

But tipping is just the tip of the iceberg, a potential indication of our hearts’ inclinations. When we dive down to see what’s deep inside our hearts, we find weightier questions: Why does the discussion of money from a spiritual perspective make us uncomfortable or defensive? Why is it hard to be generous, cheerful givers? Are we treating our wealth as ours or as a gift entrusted to our stewardship by God, who gives us everything we have—our mind, gifts, ideas, determination, discipline, opportunities, and breath in our lungs? And do we believe that God “richly provides us with all things to enjoy” (1Timothy 6:17), or do we think we need to cheat someone out of pay that’s rightfully theirs, holding onto and growing our wealth at any cost because it’s up to us to provide? And diving even deeper: Has wealth become an idol to us?

What do we do when we’ve honestly faced God’s Word to find, once again, that we’ve been setting our hope on the “uncertainty of wealth” (v.17) and that we’ve withheld pay or generosity in big or small ways? We run to Jesus who knows our hearts and still loves us so much He died for us. Our sin can never outrun His grace. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Written by Kimberly Girard