Woes of a Rich Man

Dear class,

Apologies again for the long break.

Today's readings are taken from Exodus 39,40 and James 5.

James 5 opens with some sobering instructions to the rich.
At first glance, it appears that the rich are being condemned. After all, Jesus Himself spoke of the great difficulty of a rich man entering the kingdom, recorded in no less than 3 of the gospel accounts (Mat 19:24; Mar 10:25; Luk 18:25). This conclusion came right after the well-known response of the rich young ruler to Jesus' demands.
Not to mention the account of the rich man and Lazarus in Luk 16:19-31. Was it really true that those who had it good on this earth will suffer in hell? (c.f. Luk 16:25)
And according to Paul, being rich seems to be more of a hazard than help! (1Ti 6:9-10).

The fact of the matter is, whether be we rich or poor, we have the same answering to do toward God.
The bible clearly shows that there are rich men who can be both spiritually and physically successful. The early patriarchs, Job, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph were all highly successful people in the eyes of the world. And in the New Testament, we had the example of Joseph of Arimathaea, the centurion with the sick servant, Cornelius, even Zacchaeus. Each of these individuals displayed great faith in their own right.

Going back to the context of James 5, we see that James was not just writing about the rich in general but about a certain class people whose sole intent is to enlarge their coffers even if it means using unlawful means. People who indulge in wanton living, gaining riches only to their own pleasure. I have no doubt that the rich man and his brothers in Luk 16, fall into this category. That was what Abraham was alluding to and not the mere fact that they had riches.

In 1Ti 6:9-10, if we were to examine the verses, we notice that Paul used the expression "they that WILL be rich" and then "LOVE of money", "coveted after". Granted, perhaps the rich would be more pre-disposed to a covetous attitude, yet don't we also see this also prevalent in all classes. Regardless, it is the lustful attitude toward money and riches that is condemned. Wherefore, Paul explained in v.17, for the rich to not trust in "uncertain riches" but to continue in good works. Notice that the point that Jesus was trying to make was not so much as to highlight the difficulty of a rich person entering into the Kingdom, but to illicit a strong response from the disciples to drive home a more important concept - with God, anything is possible (Mat 19:26; Mar 10:27; Luk 18:27).

Yet, the attitude of the rich in James 5 may not be all that far from us. Not forgetting the foreground of this passage earlier in James 4:13 ff. The idea of planning and going about out daily business as if God was not there and we are in total control of what happens. Fraud and violence is condemned even of the world. Far be it that Christians should be named with such. Yet when we place our worldly desires above spiritual, we are defrauding our very Father in heaven. When we choose to serve mammon over God, knowing very well we've been baptized into Christ's death and raised in newness of life, we indeed condemn ourselves and yea, crucify Christ afresh (Heb 6:6)!
Practically speaking, as we go about our day to day endeavours, we need to ask ourselves - just what or who is it am I "slogging" for? A dream car? A luxurious condo? A long holiday? Our children??? Are we striving to provide for a need or a want? A livelihood or a lifestyle? As bro Tim Burroughs mentioned, careers are good but be careful not to let it drive a wedge between us and serving God.

Perhaps when we pray for our daily living, we would do well to remember what the proverb writer wrote - "Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain." (Pro 30:8,9)

Let us all be encouraged and exhorted instead to seek after and set our affection on things above (Col 3:1,2), to lay up treasures in heaven (Mat 6:19-21) so that we be rich toward God and not ourselves (c.f. Luk 12:21).

The Lord bless our day ahead.

in Him
Paul


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But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ~ Hebrews 3:13
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? ~ 2 Corinthians 13:5