As a preface to this chapter, I think it’s important to understand who specifically James is speaking of in the first several verses. Otherwise, it may seem as though he is saying that being wealthy is evil. To the contrary, he is referring to a specific group of people.
In his study notes on this chapter, John MacArthur explains, “Unlike the believing rich in Timothy’s congregation (1 Tim. 6:17-19), these are the wicked wealthy who profess Christian faith and have associated themselves with the church, but whose real god is money.”
1-6
James begins with a rebuke of these “filthy” rich men and women.
He speaks of the vanity of their hoarding of clothes, food and money, all of which will eventually decay. How worthless to lay up treasures on earth rather than treasures in heaven.
Their greed has not only affected their lives, but others as well, as some of their wealth came from unfair business dealings.
James lays out the dangerous process that can come from having more than we need.
He says, the abundance of wealth can lead to self-indulgence and greed, and that greed then leads to all kinds of vice in order to maintain that self-indulgent lifestyle.
He puts them on notice, that the Lord knows all about their evil ways, and judgment is coming!
7-11
James then turns to the true believers, specifically those who have been victim of these greedy men and women, and have watched them continue to prosper as they seem to suffer.
His call to them is simple – be patient, the Lord is coming!
No matter what sufferings we have to go through in this life, for the believer, one thing is certain – in the end we win!
James compares our waiting for the Lord’s return to the farmer who waits from the “early” rain of October to the late rains in March and April for his crop to ripen.
No matter what sufferings we have to go through in this life, for the believer, one thing is certain – in the end we win!
Knowing that the strain of trials can lead to frustration which can at times make us testy with our brothers and sisters in Christ, James cautions against this temptation. He doesn’t want his readers to lose their reputation or any of their reward.
Be steadfast like the prophets, he advises. They suffered much, but remained patient. Everyone has heard of Job’s patience, he says. After everything that happened, God showed his compassion and mercy to Job in the end.
Finally, James returns to the subject of a believer’s speech. He tells his readers that their speech should be straightforward, honest and plain. There should be no need to swear by the name of heaven, earth or anything else to prove what you say.
In other words, say what you mean and mean what you say, to do otherwise, brings condemnation.
13-18
To close his book, James encourages his readers by reaffirming the power of prayer and other resources available through the church to help in time of need.
If we are afflicted, we can pray.
If we’re happy, we can praise.
If we’re sick, we can ask the leaders of the church to anoint us with oil and pray over us.
He continues to speak of how the church body can help each other, and then pens the words so many of us have recited when we need assured our prayers have power.
“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
Notice, he does not say the prayer of a pastor, or evangelist or missionary, but simply a righteous man.
We don’t have to be presidents or kings, in order for our prayers to accomplish great things. We simply need to be humble people, sincerely seeking God’s heart.
Look at Elijah, he says. He was just a man like us. He fervently prayed that it would not rain and for three years, it did not rain.
Then he prayed it would rain, and it rained.
19-20
Finally, James ends with the blessed hope of the gospel.
If anyone wanders away from the truth and someone brings him back, he says, they will save that person from eternal death and cause many sins to be forgiven.
Final Thoughts
For this chapter, I want to share the lesson I received from it.
I have truly been blessed in this life: good health, sweet relationships with family and friends, a solid relationship with my Lord.
The only constant roller coaster has been our financial situation. Not that we are poor, far from it. God has blessed us with more than enough, but as with most people, I believe, who are stuck somewhere in the broad realm of the American middle class, I always think it would be nice to have just a little bit more.
I guess it’s that ambitious spirit I have, or the quest for the American dream. For most of us, no matter how spiritual, more money, means success. Not so much when we look at others, but when we judge ourselves.
The more I study the Bible, however, including the book of James, the more I realize that the fact that our bank account remains steady, but stagnant may be God’s way of protecting us from a world of troubles.
Money is such a powerful thing in our society. The more of it we have, the more of it we think we need, and the less we need others – including God.
I have learned enough from my battles with control and the anxiety that comes from it, that I know I don’t need anything else tempting me to become less dependent on God.
I don’t need more money to be content in this life, but I sure do need more Jesus!!!
Michelle, I can relate to the thought you have about money. Lately I have been trying to ask God to be with me even shopping. I see so many I want but He has been helping me to really ask myself if I need it or just want it. It is hard but it helps to have Him speaking to me. I probably fail more than I succeed but little by little I am learning He knows best and knows what I might need in the future. Thanks for what you are doing, I love hearing from you and God!