Walk This Way (Week 7): Not On The Backs Of Others (James 5:1-6)

Throughout June and July, we are looking at the wisdom found in the scriptures through the book of James. For the early church, James lays out the convictions, values, and wisdom of the Christian life, and invites us to walk this way.

In the seventh week of our "Walk This Way" series through the book of James, Pastor Jeff McLain explores James 5:1-6. This sermon explores James 5:1-6, urging a reflection on wealth, its ethical acquisition, and its impact on others, emphasizing the Kingdom of God's values over earthly possessions. It calls for a life of justice, compassion, and simplicity, challenging followers of Jesus to examine their financial decisions, use resources wisely, and ensure their actions align with their faith and testimony.

Who we are together.
River Corner Church is a growing church community of everyday people who gather to worship God, follow Jesus, and journey through life together.

What we practice together.
Our small church community is uniquely caring, simple, laid-back, and intergenerational. As a church, we want to be a welcoming, safe, and healing community for those who are seeking, hurting, or need a place to belong. Our practices are contemplative (reflective) charismatic (Spirit-driven), conversational, and informative. The times we share together are intentional and intimate, and a mix between modern and traditional. We want to be a place in which love and honor are lived out, where humility is central, and where hospitality is woven into the threads of our community. There is room at the table.

When we gather together.
River Corner Church gathers weekly on Sunday mornings at 10:00 AM to worship and experience God, study the scriptures, journey through life together, and partner with the Holy Spirit. We meet in a simple worship meeting house at 524 River Corner Road in Conestoga, Pennsylvania. You are welcome as you are, just be yourself. There are other times that we hold small groups, events, and more.

Our Pastoral Leader.
As the pastor of River Corner Church, Jeff McLain leads our church community and helps others to think differently about Jesus, life, and everything in-between. Jeff also serves as the Director of Pastoral Ministries at Water Street Mission, where he works with those facing homelessness and poverty. Jeff, Katie, and their three wander-filled daughters look to lead quiet lives. Committed to lifelong learning, Jeff is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry at Kairos University and completing a Master of Business Administration with a focus on Executive Leadership at City Vision University. These academic pursuits complement the two masters he completed earlier at Fuller Seminary. Jeff has a passion for baseball, boardwalks, beaches, bays, and books, but above all, his greatest joy lies in spending time with his family and guiding our church community on our journey of faith together.

Learn more about us at rivercornerchurch.com.

Transcript

For the past few weeks, we have been exploring the book of James in our series titled “Walk This Way.” As we near the end of this series, we reflect on the teachings of James, the brother of Jesus. From the beginning, we have noted that James addresses followers of Jesus who have been scattered throughout the region due to problems, poverty, and persecution. As an overseer of the early church, James was known for his deep concern for the marginalized and downtrodden, earning him the nickname "James the Just.” James's focus on discipleship is evident in his teachings, which are both practical and instructional. His writings serve as a reminder of how followers of Jesus should live, outlining the way of the Kingdom of God and urging us to “walk this way.” He provides a challenging manifesto for living, aiming for believers to practice a “religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless... and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

After this morning, we have just two more Sundays left in our study of James. We will conclude this series on August 11 and then in September, embark on a new series titled “Light and Darkness,” exploring the shorter Johannine letters of 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John. 

This week, our focus is on James 5:1-6. In this passage, James addresses what the New International Version titles as "rich oppressors." If you've ever accidentally overdrafted your checking account or had to postpone a medical or car procedure due to a lack of funds, it might be easy to feel disconnected from James's words here. Don’t check your brains at the door yet. It is only natural as humans to begin to think about those around us who are truly affluent and wealthy and justify that we are not. However, this passage is less about some defined level of wealth and affluence. In this passage, sometimes pastors or followers of Jesus will argue that, on a global scale, many of us are among the wealthiest simply by being Americans, but I do not feel that perspective might not feel particularly helpful either. 

The truth is, this passage has valuable lessons for all of us. Sin often isn't just about how it affects us personally, but about the impact our choices have on others. The consequences of our decisions and lifestyles on the lives of others are something none of us can ignore, regardless of whether we consider ourselves wealthy or not. In this passage, James’s words remind us to be mindful of how our actions affect those around us and to strive for a life that aligns with the values of the Kingdom of God. Living by the ethics of the Kingdom of God requires us to live in a way that doesn’t oppress others around us. James challenges us to live justly and compassionately, aligning our lives with the values of the Kingdom of God.

Let's read James 5:1-6 together. I will be reading from the New International Version. Please follow along in your own Bibles or just listen carefully as I read James 5:1-6. As we go through this passage, I encourage you to pay close attention to what stands out to you - a word, a phrase, an image, or an idea. Often, this is how God highlights something he wants us to wrestle with or through. I will pray before we open the scriptures, and then we will consider how these words in James 5:1-6 may speak to our heart and mind.

Before we read the scriptures, let's take a moment to pray. 

Come, Holy Spirit, be among us with the peace and presence of God.
 
 Lead us, Jesus, help us to live and love like you.
 
 God the Father, We invite You to captivate our hearts and minds with Your living and breathing scriptures. May these scriptures cut to our hearts and transform the way we live out our faith, and may they lead us into greater intimacy with you, with the ways of Jesus, and in our dependence on the Spirit. As we gather here, let the rule and reign of your Kingdom be known to us. God, show up and show off in our midst.

Help me, as the facilitator of our time together, to get out of the way and not be a hindrance to what You have for us this morning. Bring us together in love and bind us with mercy for others.

In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Now, let's read James 5:1-6.

5 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on 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 workers 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.[a] 6 You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.

James turns his focus on those in their church community who are well-to-do.  In the context that James was writing, too, people were spread out and living in rural areas of the Roman Empire. It was here that those who were blessed enough to have resources and land would hire or enslave serfs and debtors to work on their land and properties.  Some of these people were quite wealthy and had massive estates. This led to an obvious divide between the “haves” and “have-nots.” Those who were among the “haves” were treated, seen, and thought of as being a little more blessed and better. They carried themselves that way too. Many scholars have pointed out that James is making use of Old Testament wisdom and judgment here, by the way he appeals to God’s judgment on such behavior. If we looked at Joel, Micah, elsewhere in James, and so on, we would see that the call to lament in this way was a prophetic or a forth-telling way of saying, take the time to humble yourself by weeping now under God’s conviction so that you don’t week later. When God’s judgment comes, if you are living in this way, you truly will have a reason to weep and cry.

James prophetically challenged their accumulation of clothing, which was a sign of wealth in his time and still holds that significance today. In James’s era, many people owned only a few garments, perhaps just one garment. Possessing more than one pair of clothes not only indicated financial means but also demonstrated the ability one had to needlessly hoard and store excess, long before closets, basements, or storage sheds existed. People simply did not have the resources or space to accumulate such collections. 

Church historian Craig Keener notes that there were many ancient writers who mocked the notion of hoarding wealth, as items left unused would rust and decay. James’ critique is culturally relevant, but James’s also critique aligns obviously with Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:19, where Jesus warns against storing up treasures on earth, emphasizing that earthly possessions are temporary and prone to decay. James is highlighting that focusing on material wealth is contrary to the values of the Kingdom of God.

In Jesus’ teachings on the same topic, Jesus advises us not to store up treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. Instead, Jesus encourages us to focus on accumulating treasures of eternal value, which build a lasting connection with God—treasures that cannot be destroyed or stolen. James reflects on this teaching, offering commentary by emphasizing that the wealth some possess is not only wasting away but is also a poor act of stewardship and it makes a fool out of them and the testimony of their lives. By the way, gold doesn’t rust, so James makes the argument that even the most precious and indestructible things are decaying in light of eternity. James points out that focusing on earthly wealth rather than eternal value stands as a legal testimony against our true beliefs about Jesus.

Again, this is found in the story of Jesus. Jesus reinforces this idea by stating, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." In other words, our focus and intent are everything. James echoes this sentiment by making a present-day judgment, declaring that we are living in the last days of judgment and our hearts have been found distracted, burdened, and focused on the wrong stuff. James observes that the way we treat others reveals where our hearts truly lie. Those who have accumulated wealth are depicted as having indulged themselves while others suffer and cry out in pain. This stark contrast highlights the disconnect between our earthly pursuits and the call to live out the values of the Kingdom of God. Our staff, which we have held on to, has now become our judgment. 

We see that the people James is especially dealing with are people of great means. They had land, homes, and workers, and climbed the ranks of society on the backs of others. This should have not been the way among Jews. The Roman Empire celebrated those who were able to get ahead on the backs of others, and it was in essence a sign of strength. However, James is a bishop over a church that is still predominately Jewish in their cultural and theological understandings, and the Law of Moses had a lot to say about how we should treat workers, those we are responsible for. In other words, they should have known better. 

God's people are warned in Deuteronomy 24:15-15, "Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether that worker is a fellow Israelite or a foreigner..." It warns they should "Pay them their wages each day before sunset, because they are poor and are counting on it" This passage even warns, "Otherwise they may cry to the Lord against you, and you will be guilty of sin.” In the way of living in Leviticus 19:13, they are told never to "defraud or rob your neighbor" but also to "not hold back the wages of a hired worker overnight.” This wasn't just God's way, it was wise living, Proverbs 11:24 testifies that the one who gives freely, gains even more, but the one who withholds and holds on to things, will come to poverty, perhaps meaning poverty spiritually, financially, and eternally. 

The prophets had warnings on this way of living as well, Jeremiah 22:13 reminds us, "Woe to him who builds his palace.....his upper rooms....by making his own people work for nothing, not paying them their labor." The Prophet Micah records the heart of God in this way, "So I will come to put you on trial." Who is on trial? The sorcerers, adulterers, perjurers, and those who defraud laborers of their wages; those who oppress widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice. That means those who cheat their workers are equal in sinful behavior as those who do magic (play God), those who cheat on their spouses, and those who lie on the stand. These are all acts God says, of not fearing him. Remember, the scriptures tell us that it is the fear of God that is the beginning of all wisdom and wise living, the idea that we are aware of who God is and what God wants must be acknowledged in all we are and do. 

Some even suspect James is pulling from the book of Enoch, a historical book that does not make our authoritative canon, Enough captures a challenge that says, "Woe to you who acquire silver and God in unrighteousness....for your wealth shall not remain but will quickly depart from you; for you have acquired it all in unrighteousness and you shall be subjected to a great curse." This book, well known in the day of James, probably coming from 200-50 years before Christ carries a similar challenge. Practically, this connection underscores a long-standing conviction that living rightly before God involves heeding warnings about the unrighteous acquisition of wealth. Despite this historical and ethical teaching, it is all too common for us to ignore these lessons, often prioritizing material gain over righteous living. 

From the days of old to the first-century Palestinian culture, many day laborers depended on their daily wages to just make it that day. Truthfully, there are many like that today. The pain of such an existence cried out to God, like we see the blood of the oppressed in the Old Testament, cry out to God. In other words, the pain we inflict on others is of the greatest sins. These followers of Jesus made eating and life so difficult for those they were spiritually responsible for that it was a judgment against what they claimed to be.

N.T. Wright reflects on this passage and says, “Their surplus wealth is indicative of greed.” Historian Craig Keener points out that these were absentee landlords who received profits that were exponentially abundant in comparison to the pay the workers received for actually doing the work. The rich were famous in this day for funding building projects, and attaching some plaque or inscription in the building to honor them, much like a wing of a college or school would reflect a benefactor today. Yet, those who did the work had insufficient wages. This was considered robbing someone in this day with many Jewish teachers. To not pay someone enough was the same as robbing them at gunpoint.

James addresses the treatment of harvesters because as crops needed to be harvested in or near summer, extra laborers were often hired to help. People then, like now, tried to get away with paying as little as needed, so it didn’t undermine their profits. The rich are feasting, while the poor are fasting. As followers of Jesus, we must remember the blessings we have been given to steward. A line from one of my favorite songs reminds us that “fasting fills our minutes but feasting fills our years.” 

Some scholars debate whether James is pronouncing judgment on elitists outside of the Jesus community—pagan overlords—or if he is addressing wealthy and uncaring landlords within the church who claim to be followers of Jesus. Both interpretations have their merits, but I believe the latter is particularly relevant. If these individuals are indeed members of the Christian community, James's message is even more pointed. Just as the prophets in the Old Testament called out pagan nations for their oppression, James is issuing a similar challenge to those within the church who are failing to live according to the values of God's Kingdom. In this sense, James's critique serves as a warning that God's judgment extends to all who claim to follow Jesus, regardless of their outward status or wealth. The rich lifestyle is defined in this passage by hoarding, defrauding, oppressing, and a self-indulgent lifestyle that affects others. The intent of James’ teaching here is then to remind us that we all have a choice to steward what we have been blessed with. We can become entangled with our stuff, or we can invest in others which is an investment in the treasures of eternity. 

As we look at this already practical teaching from James, I offer three actions we might take to this passage.

1. To be a simple follower of Jesus, we must analyze what we have and how we acquired it, and consider how our decisions to gain more impact others.As Jesus warns in Luke 12:15, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” We are called to ensure that our pursuit of wealth aligns with God’s values and does not harm others.
2. To be a simple follower of Jesus, we need to evaluate how wisely or unwisely we are using our blessings and understand the reasons behind why we have what we have.In Matthew 25:21, Jesus commends someone in a story, “Well done, good and faithful servant… you have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much.” This calls us to be intentional and just in how we manage our resources, reflecting God’s kingdom in our actions.
3. To be a simple follower of Jesus, we should take inventory of how our possessions might undermine our testimony or lead us away from greater dependence on God.Jesus says in Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” We must assess whether our material wealth has led to selfishness or distraction, striving for our lives and resources to reflect God’s kingdom rather than our own excess.

As we conclude, let us remember that living as simple followers of Jesus calls us to a profound examination of our lives and our relationship with our resources. By analyzing how we acquire and use what we have, evaluating our motivations and priorities, and ensuring our possessions do not undermine our testimony, we align ourselves with the values of God’s kingdom. May we be diligent in living out these principles, focusing on justice, compassion, and eternal treasures. In doing so, we honor God, reflect His love and grace, and build a community that truly represents the heart of Jesus. Let us move forward with a renewed commitment to these ideals, letting our actions speak of His kingdom and embodying the simplicity and faithfulness that Jesus calls us to. Perhaps our response is one of asking questions of ourselves like:

• Have you ever considered how your financial decisions impact others around you? 
• What responsibilities do we have as followers of Jesus when it comes to our wealth and resources? 
• How do you think the way we handle money reflects our faith and values? 
• Have you ever thought about the ethical implications of how we earn, spend, and save money
• In what ways might we be called to use our resources differently in light of our faith?

Missed

• Prayer