James in the Suburbs A Disorderly Parable of the Epistle of James

Review

So far in the Epistle of James: James taught us how to deal with our ________ by teaching us how to ask for ________without _________.

So far in the Epistle of James: James taught us how to deal with our problems by teaching us how to ask for wisdom without doubting.

So far in the Epistle of James: James taught us how to deal with our problems by teaching us how to ask for wisdom without doubting. James tells us that our lives should be ones of ____ and _________ Worship

So far in the Epistle of James: James taught us how to deal with our problems by teaching us how to ask for wisdom without doubting. James tells us that our lives should be ones of Pure and Undefiled Worship

So far in the Epistle of James: James taught us how to deal with our problems by teaching us how to ask for wisdom without doubting. James tells us that our lives should be ones of Pure and Undefiled Worship Everything from here on out in the book of James is an ________ of Pure and Undefiled Worship

So far in the Epistle of James: James taught us how to deal with our problems by teaching us how to ask for wisdom without doubting. James tells us that our lives should be ones of Pure and Undefiled Worship Everything from here on out in the book of James is an example of Pure and Undefiled Worship

The 10 Examples Impartiality Produces Good works Speaks Words that Bless Sows Seeds of Peace Does Not Judge Others Knows God is in Control Gives Resources to Others Endures until Christ Returns Speaks Truth Prays

Week 10: A Life of Worship Gives Resources to Others

Take 3 min to make a rough inventory of your resources (belongings, money, talents, time etc.)

What does it mean to be rich?

In the US, the “Financial Samari” says that based on income/lifestyle: Below $50,000: lower class $50,000: Lower middle class. $100,000: Middle class. $200,000: Upper middle class. $350,000: Still upper middle class. $500,000+: You are rich! Obama tried to pass a “rich” tax on a single person who makes more than $200,000 and a couple who make more than $250,000 are rich. Voted down. Congress approved a $400,000 single and $450,000 couple “rich” tax.

In the World, the “Global Rich List” says that based on income: $50,000: Top.31% $100,000: Top.08% $200,000: Top.04% $350,000: Top.03% $500,000+: Top.02% Note the decimal point. Not top 31% but top.31%

For Jesus and James: A rich person is anyone who has more than they need.

Come now, you rich people, weep and wail for the miseries that are coming to you. 2 Your riches have rotted, and your clothes are moth- eaten. 3 Your gold and silver have rusted, and their rust will be evidence against you, and it will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure for the last days. 4 Listen! The wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. 5 You have lived on the earth in luxury and in pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the righteous one, who does not resist you. (Jam 5:1-6 NRS)

“James offers no possibility for the existence of a rich person who does not oppress the poor. James isn’t trying to teach the rich how to be rich and godly at the same time. He was trying to open the eyes of the rich so that they could see how they were oppressing the poor.” --James in the Suburbs

Come now, you rich people, weep and wail for the miseries that are coming to you. 2 Your riches have rotted, and your clothes are moth- eaten. 3 Your gold and silver have rusted, and their rust will be evidence against you, and it will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure for the last days. 4 Listen! The wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. 5 You have lived on the earth in luxury and in pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the righteous one, who does not resist you. (Jam 5:1-6 NRS)

Jesus’s Teachings and Wealth Do not save up treasures on earth. Matt 6:19–21 One cannot serve wealth and God. Matt 6:24 To be perfect, you must sell your possessions and give to the poor. Matt 19:21 Your resources are a gift to be returned to the Master. With many resources comes great responsibility. Matt 25:14–30 When the poor give a little, it is better than when the rich give a lot. Mark 12:41–44 The rich have already received their reward. Luke 6:24

Jesus’s Teachings and Wealth (continued) It is difficult for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Luke 18:25 Do not hoard resources. Luke 12:15–23 Sell your possessions and give to the needy. Luke 12:33 Don’t invite the wealthy to your feasts. Luke 14:12–14 It is difficult for the wealthy to see the need to repent. Luke 16:19–31

Based on these teachings... Can a servant of Christ get rich and stay rich?

Andrew Carnegie “The man who dies rich, dies disgraced”

Common Questions about Wealth...

Aren’t riches a sign of God’s blessings? Not in Ancient Rome

Are riches a sign of God’s blessings? Yes! When the wealthy use their resources to bless others. This is a sign of their commitment to and trust in God.

How do we share our resources? By Being in Relationship with those in Need

James accuses the Rich of four things 1.Hoarding things that others need: “Your riches have rotted, and your clothes are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have rusted, and their rust will be evidence against you, and it will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure for the last days.” What is luxury and what is need? Two coats or one? Is money spent on art and literature important or frivolous? Look back at your list of resources. Is God calling you to share any of them?

James accuses the Rich of four things 2. Benefiting From Treating others Unfairly: “Listen! The wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.” Do we know if the products we buy were made Justly? Have you considered the cost of Externalities? Servants of Jesus are to make it their business to know where their money is going when they make a purchase or buy a service

James accuses the Rich of four things 3. Wasting Resources on Themselves: “You have lived on the earth in luxury and in pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.” How many of us misuse creation so we can have luxuries? Caring for Creation was humanity’s first job!

James accuses the Rich of four things 4. Destroying the Righteous: “ You have condemned and murdered the righteous one, who does not resist you.” The righteous speak truth to the rich, calling them to a new way of being – a way where they do not profit from the poor, where they accept their responsibility to care for those in need, where they do not waste the earth’s resources. This is a dangerous job. Who was the ultimate example of this?

Do not let these hard questions stymie you from taking action! Remember: Faith without works is dead! How do we get answers (wisdom)? When does God answer (give wisdom)?

Take 3 min to make a list of those in need (the sick, unemployed, elderly, poor, etc).

Take 3 min to make a list of those in need (the sick, unemployed, elderly, poor, etc). Now compare this to your list of resources – where might you be able to help?

Questions to ask ourselves daily: What resources do I have that others could use? Are my personal expenditures a better investment than using those resources for someone else? Is whatever I purchase made justly (protecting both the human resources and the earth’s resources)? How can I enter into relationship with those in need so that I can truly serve them?