What has James said so far about wealthy people? Jas. 2:6-7
Jesus taught 38 parables. Of those 38, how many do you think had to do how we handle earthly treasure? (16)
More is said about money in the gospel accounts than is said about heaven and hell.
The Bible contains 2000 references to wealth and property. That’s twice as many as the total references to faith and prayer.
Can you name some Godly people in the Bible who were rich?
(Job, Abraham, Joseph, David, Solomon, Barnabas,
James 5:1-6
A. Do you think this section is written to Christians?
1. In other passages James has addressed the “brethren.”
2. There is no clear call to repentance.
3. Here there is only condemnation.
B. Why are the rich advised to weep and wail?
1. What misery is coming? V. 1
2. Why doesn’t he call the rich to repent?
3. Is it possible for rich people to be saved? Luke 18:22-26
a. Does Jesus link this man’s salvation to his attitude toward money? V. 24
b. Why would the rich man not give up control of his riches to Jesus? (It was like asking him to die)
c. What made the disciples ask their question in verse 26?
(1) Did they think riches were an indicator of salvation?
(2) When was Zacchaeus saved?
d. Is love of wealth an impassable barrier for those who want to enter the kingdom?
4. What could be the purpose of condemning people who will never read the letter?
a. What was the basis for favoritism among the brethren?
b. How could condemnation for the rich be a warning to the church?
c. How are riches deceptive?
d. Do people in the church sometimes envy the rich?
e. Is James trying to turn the poor Christians against the rich of their society?
f. Will rich people ever read this letter? How would they benefit?
Conclusion: James writes these things about the rich to the church because…
C. Why does James say the belongings of the rich are being destroyed?
1. What’s the value of goods that are corroded, rotten and moth-eaten? V. 3
a. Do some people hoard things that they never use?
b. Is there a lot of waste in our country?
2. What would be the profit in investing your whole life to get these things?
3. Does it ever seem like acquiring things of value is the main goal in life?
4. Are people who have riches more blessed by God?
5. How is the degradation of their stuff belonging to the rich a testimony against the rich?
a. Evidence gives testimony. What is deteriorating stuff evidence of? V. 3
b. Is there anything we can do so that our “stuff” is not a testimony against us?
c. What’s wrong with hoarding wealth in “the last days”? Luke 12:16-21
d. Some love money and want to consume wealth. How does wealth end up consuming us?
What is it that a rich person knows to do and does not? (To him it is sin)
D. What should the rich be doing with their wealth?
1. What should the wealthy have been done with the goods that were goods that are corroded, rotten and moth-eaten?
a. What does this have to do with stewardship?
b. Was the rich man who had Lazarus at his gate guilty of being a poor steward? Luke 16:19ff
c. What was Jesus’ point in the parable of the dishonest manager? Luke 16:9
d. Are we to be a conduit, middle-man, or distribution point for the wealth we gain?
2. Why does James mention field workers that have been cheated? V. 4
e. Could some of his readers be those workers?
f. What should the rich have done for the workers?
g. Does God care about what how we gain our wealth?
3. Is living in luxury a sin? V. 5
James has already said, “You ask and do not have because you want to spend it on your lusts.
a. What should the rich have been doing instead of living in luxury?
b. Should our conscience bother us when we “over indulge” in luxury?
c. What is the “day of slaughter”?
4. Do you think James if referring to anyone in particular in verse 6?
Conclusion: 1 Tim. 6:17-19
Do we envy the rich today? (not after reading James)
Can our country have a rusty witness?
Can churches have a rusty witness?
Can our checkbook or the receipts around the house be a witness? (Your money talks!)
James 5:7-12
Why is patience so important for the Christian?
A. Why does James mention patience right after he talks about the condemnation of the rich? V. 7
1. What event did these brothers need to wait for? (This is what we’re all getting ready for)
2. What will happen at the coming of the Lord? Matt. 13:37-43
3. Will the Lord’s return be a good thing for the wicked rich James talked about in verses 1-7?
B. What are the Christians commanded to do until the second coming of Jesus?
1. How is our patience to be like that of a farmer’s patience?
2. Be patient and stand firm. What did they need to be stubborn about? V. 8
3. Why would it be a bad idea to grumble against a brother when the supreme just is near?
C. How can Bible examples of patience be a pattern for us?
1. What can we follow in the example of the patience of the prophets? V. 10
2. What is there about Job’s situation that shows God is faithful?
D. Why is swearing prohibited? V. 12
1. What kind of swearing is this? Matt. 5:33-37
a. What were they not to swear by? Why not?
b. What makes an oath powerful and gives it credibility?
(1) The words spoken?
(2) The character of the person?
c. Under what circumstances is an oath required?
(1) Can we know someone is being truthful without requiring an oath?
(2) What if the matter is very important?
(3) Is it okay to swear an oath in court? Why or why not?
2. How could making an oath cause a Christian to fall into condemnation?
Conclusion
· Condemning the rich let’s the struggling disciples know that God is aware and he will deal with the matter.
· The brethren are urged to be patient until the time of the Lord’s return and judgment.
· We are to be ready, knowing the Lord’s return is near. We should stand firm, even in suffering, and keep on speaking the name of Jesus.
· We must have the character traits of letting the Lord be the judge and letting our “yes” be “yes” and our “no” be “no”.