James 5

May 26, 2022

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Reading along with us in James? Here’s today’s reading:

James 5 (NIV)

Warning to Rich Oppressors
1 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. 2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty...........Continue Reading

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This Post Has 8 Comments

  1. Funny when God reminds you so obviously of something you need to hear. As I sat to read this today facing the trials of life and the attacks of Satan wondering what I am to do there it is in front of me…. “As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered.”
    The trials will come but I need to trust that God is there, He will guide me through, and on the other side there will be blessing.
    But as I think what do I do in the meantime God, there it is in front of me once again…”The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
    So I will be patient, I will pray, and I will trust God in ALL things!

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  2. James said in chapter 1 verse 17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” If you are rich because of ill-gotten gains,”you have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.” If you are patient in suffering with your eyes on Him, “He is full of compassion and mercy.” God, of course, will act according to His will and purposes but, “every good and perfect gift is from above.”

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  3. These first few verses are a perfect example of CEO’S flying around in their private jets while their workers strive to exist. Taking Gods point. Be gracious and joyful that you have such great workers that make a business successful. Remember years ago. One of my employees said yes your paying ok. But a simple thank you will go along way. Not only true in business. But true in life. Next few verses. Do I put my trust in myself or trust God. Easy for me. I am so blessed to run a business that is 118 years old. God has seen it through so many difficulties and has done so many miracles. I put my trust in him that it will continue. Trust him in all things. Looking at men like Isaiah. Jeremiah. Joseph. Job. Who persevered as they trusted our Lord. Finally James ends his book with trusting in God by praying with power as mature Christians Where we find peace in prayer. Always being ready to help those in need. Without judgement. Willing to help and restore

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  5. God certainly cares about how we conduct our affairs and how we treat each other…and He is watching. The relationship between owners and workers are symbiotic..both need the other. Owners need to remember that and reward those who work for them and help them gain wealth. And so, as we deal with the vagaries of life it is important to be patient and let God work through the circumstances we face as we function in the wisdom He provides. Just as the farmer waits for the crops to grow in their due time, we wait as well, especially understanding that all the waiting is in reference to the Lord returning when He will make everything right. And in the meantime we access the throne of power, authority and grace through prayer. There is no situation that God cannot handle and asks us to engage with Him to handle it. Our prayers are powerful and effective because God is powerful and effective and He grants us the grace to let us join in His power. And we not only look after each other in prayer, but in life as well. We have a role to keep people on the straight and narrow as they help us stay on the straight and narrow. We are all subject to falling away and so we are to always encourage others to stay true to God in a world that increasingly defies and rejects Him.

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  7. Better to be poor than rich. One has a lot to give away and the other not so much.
    Always the world verses God. It sounds like an easy choice. So why so hard sometimes. Why one foot in world and the other with God. When will we learn this tug of war does not work. That’s what makes us double minded.
    Again faith, prayer and the holy spirit are all helpers to deal with this. Always pray.

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  8. This chapter is perspective.

    The lavishly rich have oppressed the poor and their cries reach the Lord.
    “Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.”

    The rich grew fat….but little do they know they are fattened for slaughter.
    “You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter.”

    Be patient, wait a little longer. The Lord is coming.
    “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. 8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”

    While we are waiting:
    Pray
    Sing Psalms of joy
    Anoint with healing oil
    confess your sins to each other
    and
    Pray
    Pray
    Pray.

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