Faithful on Fridays Blog

5:1-12

Pastor James encourages and warns his congregation shifting his message to the rich once again (1:10, 2:5-7) following Jesus’ example of a true prophet,

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Matthew 6:19-21, 24 

The ‘doomsday clock’ is moving closer to midnight and wealth won’t save you; it’s just temporary. When the rich oppress the poor the Captain of heavens armies (vs. 4) sees, hears, and will rectify that situation at just the right time. Our God is a God of justice and He will right every wrong; it may be on Judgment Day, the ‘coming of the Lord’ (vs. 7), but invariably He will judge. Therefore, he writes three times that the poor should be patient, remembering that Jesus is returning as sure as harvest time arrives every year.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love. Romans 5:3-5

Being under the pressure of finances for your family is hard, however, James gives us the example of Job to encourage and gain strength. After losing his family, all personal possessions, and finally his health God stepped in and rewarded Job’s endurance with mercy and compassion (vs. 11) restoring and even multiplying what Job lost. Interestingly, this pastor views integrity above all as he addressed his church family (vs. 12), meaning you’re a person of your word; you tell the truth. If you said something it’s true; exaggeration, speculation, or ‘sorta true’ won’t cut it with God,

“Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.” Matthew 5:37 

The Church needs to have a reputation for honesty, integrity, and trustworthiness as we represent Christ to the world as ‘doers of the Word’ (1:22-25). That high moral character is what people notice and Pastor James desires his new congregation to glorify God by caring for the poor and needy and not trusting in anything this world has to offer.

No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8