What Awaits

Click here for the audio message of – James 5:1-11

James continues his tests of faith in Chapter 5. Now James focuses on money and the believer’s view of money. This portion of Scripture is really divided into two sections, greed and patience and is addressed to the rich and the oppressed people.

James condemns the people who profess to be Christians, but really worship money. He tells them to look at their hearts again. He isn’t condemning their wealth, simply how they are using their money.

James declares that judgment awaits rich people because of their crimes. What are these crimes? The rich have hoarded their wealth. They have committed fraud in order to get more wealth. They are greedy. They live a life of luxury while others do not even have enough to survive.

If James were writing this letter today, I don’t think he would be addressing just the millionaires here in the United States. Even the poorest people here have it much better than many places around the world.

I believe as citizens of the United States we have been blessed by God many times over, but I think as individuals of the kingdom of God we will be judge based upon what God has given to us and how we have used or abused those blessings.

Do you consider yourself rich? Most people here would probably say no and that may be true based upon American standards. However, if I describe rich as having more than you need, I suspect everyone meets that standard. That’s how James described the rich.

Piling up riches can be like not trusting God. Now, I am not saying we shouldn’t save for things like retirement or education or a home or car or whatever. God doesn’t tell us not to plan. He tells us to trust Him and make Him a big part of our plan.

God takes care of His people. Think about some of the things that Jesus said during His sermon on the mount in Matthew chapter 5 through 7.

“…do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink…. Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, or reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?” Matthew 6:25-26

“…your heavenly father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:32-34

James then speaks to the poor, they were the ones being persecuted and ruled over by the rich. He starts by telling them to be patient during their trials. This too shows where they place their trust. Trust God, not man. Trust God, not riches. Trust God, not works.

It is tough to watch everyone else around you getting stuff like new cars and big screen tv’s and such. It is tough not to want those things too. It is tough to see others live in luxury while you struggle to make ends meet. We need to be patient and trust in God and use whatever He has given us to further honor Him. Trust and obey.

But part of the problem is the fact that people don’t have patience. They want what they want and they want it now. That is partially why we are having this economic meltdown. People simply bought on credit more stuff than they could afford. They were trying to live a lifestyle beyond what their income supplied. The results are not surprising to me at all.

James gives several examples of patience in his letter. He says look at the farmer. He invests a bunch of money and time in seeds. He plants them and then pretty much trusts God and waits on Him to make the crop grow. Sure today, we have pesticides, fertilizers, and irrigation systems, but whether or not the farmer acknowledges it he is at the mercy of God to make his crop grow as well.

The farmer has to wait. He has to be patient because the crops don’t grow and produce fruits and vegetables overnight. It takes many months to produce a harvest.

James also mentions the patience of the prophets of the Old Testament. They proclaimed the arrival of the Messiah, but never actually saw the birth of Christ. Many of them were ridiculed and persecuted for their words, but they patiently endured and were proven right with the birth of Christ.

Finally, of course, anytime you think of biblical patience, I am sure Job comes to mind. He was being tempted by Satan, but he never gave in. He was patient and God showed he was not being punished for his sin.

Some of us can use some patience. Even if it is just the little things in life that get to us, like traffic or waiting in the checkout lines, we still need to trust God. Wait on the Lord, His timing is best.

The words of James speak to us this morning, not just about being rich or poor or being patient through our suffering, but they speak to us about the coming of Christ. The believer rejoices at the thought of Christ’s return, while the unbelievers are fearful of death. God will set things right when He returns, but it will be on His schedule and on His terms.

Wealth can be a blessing or a curse. It simply depends on the person’s relationship with God. A right relationship produces blessings whereas a wrong relationship will be like a curse. Are you blessed or cursed?

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank you for this practical advice on being patient. Help us to be like the farmers who trust in you for their harvest. Give us the patience that we need in our everyday matters of life.

But most importantly, help us to be patient in our faith and wait for your timing as you work in our lives. Give us the things that we need for today and help us to trust in you to take care of tomorrow.

We ask this in Jesus’ name.

AMEN