Friday, March 2, 2012

Digging Deeper (James 5:1-6


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Digging Deeper 23 James 5:1-6
There is a tremendous emphasis if not pressure in our culture placed on the acquisition of knowledge. Now with the inception of the internet, vast libraries of books, video and countless media outlets it would seem that we would be getting more knowledgeable and I guess on some level we are gaining more information. But what about the truth how much of the information that we process is actually the truth? Have we reached a point in our society that Google is the answer to all questions? True knowledge is not just information; true knowledge is just that, the truth!  So where can we find the answers how can we acquire true knowledge information that is life changing? Jesus said “I am the way the truth and the life.” True knowledge comes from knowing Jesus! Now let’s dig a little deeper in God’s Word.
James 5:1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. This is not an indictment on the rich. The point is that if you are dependent on your riches, your abilities, your resources difficulty is coming there will be a time when you will they will not sustain you. Verse 2 Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. Rotted simply means worthless and when your garments are moth eaten, and moths don’t care if they are designer clothes, you are exposed. Verse 3 Your gold and your silver have rusted; and there rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure. Earthly treasure will not stand the test of time and depending on them will witness to the character of the man.
James 5:4 Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Saboth. When man falls in love and dependence on earthly things he begins to fill with pride and arrogance. Others really do not matter, “I got mine let them get theirs.” Verse 5 You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.  Because you have embraced a lifestyle of I have all I need, your heart is not right. Verse 6 You have condemned and put to death the righteous man, he does not resist you. When attitude is “I have all I need”, which leads to an attitude of “I’ve got mine you get yours”, a false sense of power over those that “have not arrived yet” ensues and then there is no  hesitation to step on anyone or do anything to continue the pursuit of more earthly treasure and literally lives are destroyed.
This narrative of James concerning riches does not condemn the wealthy. It is about the attitude of the rich, it is about being arrogant and full of pride and how that pride will destroy not only the prideful but as it runs its course seeks to destroy the humble. James begins this passage with “come now, you rich weep and howl” it is a call to realize your situation, being wealthy is not a sin. Proverbs 10:22 It is the blessing of the Lord that makes rich, and He adds no sorrow to it.
Earthly riches are blessings from God and are to be handled with great stewardship (to whom is given much is required). The blessings of God requires an attitude of humility and must be handled if they are going to bring glory to God.
This passage is much about attitude not the riches themselves when we have a prideful attitude it causes us act differently even cruelly and unfairly towards others placing ourselves in a place a prominence based on false sense of value.


What do we believe about God? 
1.   God is the giver of all blessings
2.   God desires good stewardship of His blessing

What do we believe about ourselves? 
                                        
1.   All blessings come from God
2.   Our pride will lead us to destruction and seek to destroy others.
3.   Our dependence should be completely and wholly on God!
Covenant Church 210 Station Rd, Wilmington, NC 28405 (910) 395-5800

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