James is not targeting ‘the wealthy’ in Chapter 5 but rather rich oppressors. He is concerned with our attitude towards money and its misuse which causes unnecessary misery to multitudes. James is not promoting socialism, nor is he espousing a political view. Remember James was writing to the diaspora, Jewish believers scattered across the Roman Empire (James 1:1-2). This letter was written shortly before the destruction of Jerusalem at the hands of the Romans and the oppression in that day and location was extreme.
Rich oppressors will be judged
Commentators are divided as to whether the oppressors were from within, or outside the congregation, or both. But the issues raised include hoarding (v3), fraud (v4), indulgent living (v5) at the expense of the oppressed (v6). Hence it would be a mistake to distance ourselves from the context and issues that James is addressing.
The rich were to weep and howl for miseries were coming upon them. Some had heaped treasure in the last days which would be a witness that would condemn them. The cries of the reapers had reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. The Lord had noticed and like a sacrificial animal, they had unwittingly fattened themselves for the day of slaughter.
What does that teach us about the Lord’s character and how does that encourage us even now? Rich oppressors will be judged and the Lord is not omitting, but reserving judgement. Those hoarding outrageous quantities of goods, which could help others will be judged. Those committing fraud have not pulled the wool over the Lord’s eyes since they will also be judged. We may not see some wrongs righted now, but there is a day of reckoning, a Judgement Day.
In this passage, James draws heavily from the Sermon on the Mount (James 5:1; cf. Luke 6:24-26). There are some who have had their best life now, whose eternity is lost and they will be in misery. They have every reason to weep and howl, since miseries are upon them and they have no hope.
We must examine our lives
But let us look at four sins, hoarding, fraud, indulgent living causing harm and withholding aid to others. In our society, it is all too easy to accumulate items, seldom use them and withhold aid to others. Sometimes, our items are hoarded to the point where they are spoilt and even the owner derives no benefit! Are you stockpiling food or clothes until your food goes off and your clothes deteriorate?
The amount of food wasted could feed nations, unused clothes could clothe millions. Can you drive more than one vehicle at a time, or live in more than one house simultaneously? The issue is not merely possessing items but using them wisely as stewards of God’s resources. Consider the irony of owning more items than we need with the problems created. Sometimes we forget what we have, buy the same item, or cannot find what we have purchased. We may gain by giving some items away, which would also bless others.
In a previous job I would at times help people with a serious problem of hoarding. One chap accumulated so much stuff that the council had to shut off the electricity supply since it was a fire risk. There was no room to sleep, a narrow walkway with items piled high in sea of entangled mess. In the fear of losing possessions that man had constructed a self-created prison.
One method suggests putting stickers on items to keep, items to possibly retain and items to remove. Another means was a visual 1-10 scale of hoarded items to break the task into stages. Usually there was a root cause, a deeper reason, often fear, anxiety, or a great loss. The irony is that it can be freeing to give away items and a blessing to someone who could use them.
We have touched on the some of the human issues relating to hoarding, but what is the spiritual root? Are you laying up treasures on earth or in heaven? This is determined by your thinking, what you value and what is most important to you. What you value most is what you worship and you cannot worship God and mammon (riches).
Laying up treasures on earth equals no lasting joy and an endless quest for more that is never satisfied. It equals short term gain, long term pain, no rest, or contentment. Laying up treasures in heaven has everlasting value, godly contentment, real joy and lasting hope. There is a degree of peace even now and the freedom from laying up treasures on earth. You might consider it strange that the Egyptians buried their possessions in a pyramid for the afterlife. Is it not equally futile to accumulate innumerable possessions now and to never use them?
When so many have never heard of the Lord, we can use our resources to bless others. It would be good from time to time to examine what we have and what we can give. Examples include excess food, clothes, tools for missionaries or spare Bibles for those who need them.
James highlights fraud and not simply the non-payment of wages but the holding back of payment. Other Scriptures speak of the necessity and morality of prompt payment (cf. Leviticus 19:13; Deuteronomy 24:15). In that setting, the wages being paid promptly could mean eating or not eating that day. It is likely they had few items of clothing, so the little they had was of immense importance. When I was in Zambia, I was told not to throw away old and worn trainers, since someone would make use of them. Some kids could not go to school since they did not own shoes. It made a difference.
Some energy companies are notorious for deliberately overestimating bills to their own advantage. Some individuals make a habit of not paying until they are chased to pay something more than once. If you are an employer, be sure to pay your employees in a timely manner. If you have received goods or benefitted from a service, pay as soon as you are able to. Remember the Lord is constantly watching your dealings and stewardship.
Everything you possess is on loan from the Lord which means your possessions belong to Him. Who gave you your life? Who created the world you reside in? To whom does the earth belong? How can you faithfully work for the Lord amidst a crooked and perverse generation, or in Babylon? You may have a line manager, but the Lord is the highest authority, to whom you will give an account.
As believers we are not called to a life of self-indulgent luxury at the expense of others. But the one who ignores James’ advice would be fattening themselves for the day of slaughter. Think of a farm animal being fattened in their short life, oblivious of the day of slaughter. Many rich oppressors are needlessly fattening themselves for the day of slaughter. Do not fatten your hearts for the day of slaughter since the cries of the reapers have been heard by the Lord of hosts.
The Lord of hosts in James 5:4 is the Lord of armies, the Lord of the Sabaoth. He is our Lord and Saviour who is coming in judgement, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. For some there will be consolation, but for others judgement. For some salvation, for others condemnation. Some will be charged with murdering the just and the Lord will come in judgement.
Be patient for the coming of the Lord
We know that rich oppressors will be judged and that we should examine our lives before God. But what follows and where is our hope? We are to be patient before the coming of the Lord. The wise farmer waits patiently and endures waiting for the rain, until the rain comes. You may have heard people flippantly state, “I wish the Lord would hurry up!” The reality is that it is a mercy that there is precious time to repent!
Knowing that the Lord will judge the oppressors and will come again lifts our anxiety and reassures us. The doctrine of the Lord’s return gives us a grounded and rounded biblical worldview and steadies our hearts. The Lord’s timing is not like ours because it is perfect and we should often remind ourselves of that. We are instructed to ‘establish our hearts’ so we should strengthen ourselves in the Lord and be full of faith, not fear. Waiting for the Lord’s return is not passivism, stoicism, indifference or laziness, but rather an active waiting. The believer lives daily with the Lord’s return in view, so that they can live wisely now. Use the talents and the resources the Lord has given you and continue in that until He comes.
James assures us of the Lord’s coming. But why does he warn us about grumbling at this point? Injustice and uncertainties can seem overwhelming so be on your guard that your heart is not troubled. Pressure from oppressors is sometimes misdirected by grumbling against those who we love the most. Do not be a grumbler, be aware of this and make the effort to make peace.
We are informed that the Judge is standing at the door. Imagine if the Lord returned to find His own, whom He gave His life for, grumbling with each other. What will you be doing when the Lord returns, arguing about the precise timing of the rapture, or sharing the gospel? In view of the Lord’s coming, we must avoid arguments that have little bearing on eternity. Do not grumble lest you be condemned because the Judge is standing at the door. Remember the Lord sees everything you do and is standing at the door.
We are encouraged by case studies, real lives of Bible characters, prophets and their example. Again, James’ encouragement in James 5:10 aligns with the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:12. Why can they rejoice? Because their reward is in heaven. Take encouragement from their example. Their example is for our learning and that through the patience and the comfort of the Scriptures we might have hope (Romans 15:4). Since these examples are for our encouragement and admonition it is vital that we keep reading them. Become familiar with them so that you might share them and remind others of the Lord’s return.
James states that we count them blessed who endure since they had the hope of the crown of life (James 1:12). The eternal inheritance of the believer makes any luxury or indulgence pale into insignificance.
James reminds us of the astonishing example of Job who had an eternal perspective and responded patiently to his sufferings with eternity in view (cf. Job 1:20-21; 19:25-27). Job did not fully understand what was happening at the time, or even fully, afterwards, yet He still trusted in the Lord. Note Job was a real, historical character (cf. Ezekiel 14:14). Conversely, if the book of Job were not a real account and was merely an allegory, how would his example bring genuine hope?
The last verse, James 5:12, may appear a little strange in view of the Lord’s return and the flow of this passage. Whilst under pressure people can commit to foolish vows, heaping judgement upon themselves. Once more James’ words in James 5:12 correspond with the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:34-37. So, should we take oaths since some might argue we should never take oaths? Williams helps sheds some useful light on this matter observing that the Apostle Paul frequently took oaths (2 Corinthians 12:19; Galatians 1:20; 1 Timothy 5:21).[i]
Never make false, deceptive needless oaths for the foolish purpose of perceived personal gain. Why dig your own pit or reap judgement upon yourself? Much of James’ book contains caution concerning our speech which can easily trip us up. You will be judged by your words and actions, so be careful what you say. Let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and your ‘no,’ ‘no,’ so you do not fall under condemnation.
The Lord is coming again and this time in judgement. Is the second coming on your radar? Is the second coming an afterthought, or does the second coming shape your worldview? When the Lord returns, will you be hoarding or giving, grumbling or making peace, complaining that the Lord has not returned yet, or telling others that the Lord is standing at the door?
[i] George Williams Williams’ Complete Bible Commentary (Kregel, 1994; Grand Rapids), p997