What Their Wealth Will Do (5:1–4)

What Their Wealth Will Do (5:1–4)
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The rich thought they were set for life because they had money, but God had other ideas. "Howl for your miseries that shall come upon you" (James 5:1). James talked about what happens when you misuse money.

Riches will go away (vv. 2–3a). Grain will rot, gold will rust, and clothes will get holes in them. The word "corrupted" is used in James 5:2 to describe this process.  After all, nothing in this world will last forever. Death and decay are part of everything that exists.

Wealth does not guarantee safety. Paul said to tell the wealthy in this world not to be proud or put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth (1 Tim. 6:17). We can't be sure about wealth. The stock market and the money market both change from hour to hour. Gold doesn't rust like iron does, but the idea is the same: the gold is losing its value. Life is short, and we can't take our money with us, so it's foolish to live for worldly things. God said to the rich man, "Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?" (Luke 12:20).

Riches that are used wrong can ruin a person's character (v. 3). "Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire . . . " (James 5:3). This sentence is a present judgment: the poison of wealth has gotten to them, and they are being eaten alive. Money is not bad in and of itself; it is neutral. But "the love of money is the root of all evil" (1 Tim. 6:10). "Thou shalt not covet" is the last of the Ten Commandments, but it is the most dangerous. If you want something too badly, you'll break all the other nine commandments.

Abraham was wealthy, but he kept his faith and morals. Lot's wealth destroyed his character and, in the end, his family. Having money is fine as long as it doesn't get into your heart. The Psalmist exhorts us not to set our heart on riches if they grow (Ps. 62:10). "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold." (Prov. 22:1).

There will be judgment (vv. 3, 5). James saw not only a present judgment (their wealth fading and their character eroding), but also a future judgment before God. Jesus Christ will be the Judge (James 5:9), and His judgment will be fair.

Take note of the witnesses that God will summon on that day of judgment. First, the wealth of the rich men will testify against them (James 5:3). Their spoiled grain, tarnished gold and silver, and moth-eaten clothes will show how selfish they are. It's ironic that the rich men saved their money to help them, but their hoarded money will only hurt them.

The money they didn't pay will also be used against them in court (James 5:4a). Money speaks! These stolen wages cry out to God for justice and fairness. God heard Abel's blood cry out from the ground (Gen. 4:10), and He hears this money that was stolen cry out too.

The workers will also speak out against them (James 5:4). There won't be any chances for the rich to pay off the witnesses or the judge. God hears the cries of His people experiencing unfair treatment, and He will render a fair judgment. This decision is crucial. The lost will stand before Christ at the Great White Throne (Rev. 20:11–15). The saved will be judged by Christ (Rom. 14:10–12; 2 Cor. 5:9–10). God will not judge our sins because they were already judged on the cross. Instead, He will judge our works and our ministry. We will get a reward if we have been faithful in serving and praising Him. If we have not been faithful, we will lose our reward but not our salvation (1 Cor. 3:1–15).
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The loss of a valuable opportunity (v. 3). James thought that the Lord's coming was close when he said "the last days" (see James 5:8–9). We must "redeem the time", that is, buy up the opportunity" (Eph. 5:16) and work while it is day (John 9:4). Think of all the good things that could have been done with that money that was saved up. The church contained impoverished individuals who could have benefited from assistance (James 2:1–6). There were workers who were entitled to their pay. Sadly, the Jewish nation lost and was scattered in a few years, and Jerusalem was destroyed.

It is good to have the things that money can buy, but it is also good to have the things that money cannot buy. What good is a house worth $500,000 if it doesn't have a home? Is a diamond ring worth a million dollars worthless without love? James did not criticize wealth or wealthy individuals; he denounced the improper utilization of wealth and wealthy individuals who wield their resources as a weapon rather than as a means for construction.

James 2:5 says that you can be "poor in this world" but rich in the next. You can also be "rich in this world" (1 Tim. 6:17) and poor in the next. When Jesus Christ comes back, some people will become poor and others will become rich, depending on how spiritually healthy they are. "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matt. 6:21).

We lose what we hold on to. Whatever we give to God, He keeps and adds interest to it. A well-known preacher who was known for his long sermons was asked to give the "charity sermon" for the poor every year. Some people said that if he preached for too long, the people in the church might not give as much as they should.
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The preacher read from Proverbs 19:17: "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will He pay him again." He did give a short sermon: "Put down your money if you like the terms."

Yes, money does talk. What will it say to you when you die?