Material Wealth

James 5

1 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you.

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.

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.

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.

Reading this morning and thinking on this passage in James 5, it's once again clear that those that have monetary wealth have to be very careful to use and treat that wealth for God and how He would have money used. It's not the actual money or the treasures that are the problem. The problem lies in making money or treasures into gods. Each time I read this passage I begin to think of Truett Cathy who is the owner of Chick-fil-a. Cathy certainly is a good present day role model on how to have material wealth and still be faithful to God.

Still, reminders are always good. I'm thankful that I can read God's word this morning and be aware of using money the right way and while enjoying my earthly treasures, never putting them before God.