MONEY, MONEY, MONEY…IT’S A RICH MAN’S WORLD

SUNDAY SERVICE: 13 OCT 2013 
SPEAKER: DATUK KENNY NG 
TEXT: JAMES 5:1-6

Money, money, money,
Must be funny, In the rich man's world
Money, money, money
Always sunny, In the rich man's world
Aha-ahaaa All the things I could do
If I had a little money, It's a rich man's world 

So goes the 1980s hit song by ABBA.

James does not say it is a sin to be rich. In fact, money per se, is neither a blessing nor a curse. Abraham was a wealthy man who walked with God and blessed the whole world.

But James is against unlawfully accumulated riches and advises the immoral rich to “weep and wail” in v1. 

James expresses three concerns.

1. How The Rich Got Their Riches (v4, 6a)
They got rich by not paying workmen their due wages. This includes not paying just wages to foreigners and migrant workers. Such failure is sin.

Deut. 24: 14 – 15 Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether that worker is a fellow Israelite or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. Pay them their wages each day before sunset, because they are poor and are counting on it. Otherwise they may cry to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin. 

Other similar references include Lev. 19: 13; Jer. 22: 13.

The rich are also guilty of controlling the courts and subverting justice (v 6a). A number of scripture passages point to the importance of judges of integrity (ref: Deut. 17: 8 – 13; Ex. 18: 21; Lev. 19: 15; Deut. 19: 16 – 21; Isa. 33: 15; Micah 3: 11 & 7: 3). God is highly displeased at such unjust practices.

Amos 5: 12 For I know how many are your offenses and how great your sins. There are those who oppress the innocent and take bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts.

2. How The Rich Use Their Riches (v3 – 5) 
Instead of laying up treasures in heaven by using their riches for God’s glory (Mat. 6: 19), the rich hoard them for their own pleasure. However, a rich man who is a good steward of his wealth would help others to benefit from his riches.

1 Corinthians 4: 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 

In the Old Testament, Boaz deliberately instructed his workers not to completely harvest his fields but to leave some grains behind for the needy. Another example was Joseph who kept faith as a responsible steward in Potiphar’s house.

Scripture speaks against greed and excess  but not accumulating wealth to provide for one’s family (1 Timothy. 5: 8).

3. What Will Happen to the Rich and their Riches (v1 – 4) 
Since riches will not last forever Scriptures such as 1 Timothy 6: 17 has this to say:

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 

The immoral rich will be judged, both in the present (their wealth decaying and their character eroding in v3) as well as in the future (v4 & 9). In Warren Wiersbe’s words, “Luxury has a way of ruining character.”

Conclusion
God’s church must be thankful for the blessing of material wealth, gifts, and opportunities for success. In light of James’ warning against greed and indulgence, we should guard against covetousness (Exodus 20:17) and seek to be more generous with what God has entrusted us. Thanks be to God who is our Jehovah Jireh. 

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DATUK KENNY NG is the Senior Partner in Lee Swee Seng & Co and an elder of Emmanuel Evangelical Free Church