1. A Tangible Faith #13: Judgment of Selfishness James 5:1-6 07/08/2018 Dr. Dane Boyles

2. James’ Thesis: There is something about the love of money for its own sake that brings out the worst in people.
Achan’s lust for money and possessions (Joshua 7)
The prophet Balaam (Numbers 22:4-25).
Delilah betrayed Sampson to the Philistines (Judges 16).
Solomon’s lust for more and more (Deut 17:16-17)

3. To gain wealth, Gehazi lied to Naaman and then to Elisha, for which he was afflicted with leprosy (2 Kings 5:20-27)
Ananias and Sapphira withheld money they said was given to the LORD and were struck dead for it (Acts 5:1-11)
In the ultimate act of treachery, the materialist Judas betrayed Jesus.

4. 15 “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you
15 “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” and then betrayed the Son of God for thirty pieces of silver” (Matthew 26:15; 47-50; 27:3-10)

5. 21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).

6. First: He calls the wealthy to repentance.
1 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. (James 5:1)

7. Second: He tells the wealthy they are being judged already.
2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.
3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. (James 5:2-3)

8. What are the dangers of hoarding?
Fosters a sense of earthly security and independence from God. 
Promotes a sense of superiority over others.

9. Assumes that what a person gains is only for that person’s benefit.
Is irresponsible and indulgent.
Promotes irresponsible spending decisions.

10. Why does God give some people a lot of money?

11. 16 This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Each one is to gather as much as he needs. Take an omer for each person you have in your tent.’”
17 The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little. (Exodus 16:16-17)

12. 18 And when they measured it by the omer, he who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little. Each one gathered as much as he needed.
19 Then Moses said to them, “No one is to keep any of it until morning.” (Exodus 16:18-21)

13. 20 However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them.
21 Each morning everyone gathered as much as he needed, and when the sun grew hot, it melted away. (Exodus 16:20-21)

14. 13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality.
14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, (2 Corinthians 8:13-14)

15. 15 as it is written: “He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.” (2 Corinthians 8:15)

16. Three statements stand out in verses 2-3:
Your wealth has rotted,
moths have eaten your clothes,
Your gold and silver are corroded

17. Third: He tells them their desire for luxury leads to terrible mistreatment of others and crimes.  
4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. (James 5:4)

18. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence
5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.
6 You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you. (James 5:5-6)

19. Every Christian needs to determine his standard of living, stay there, and give to God’s work.
If we place more importance on money than the Bible allows, we are destined for disappointment.

20. A Tangible Faith #13: Judgment of Selfishness James 5:1-6 07/08/2018 Dr. Dane Boyles