In James 5:1–6, the Lord’s half-brother pronounces judgment with a tone of finality that ought to lead us into serious self-examination. Like the prophets of old, James lays out a series of charges against the evil rich who oppressed God’s people (cf. James 2:6). Each of these sins comes from a misplaced prioritization of the earthly over the eternal.
First, James says the evil rich have hoarded their wealth (vv. 2–3). They have hoarded so much that their possessions and their money have literally wasted from sitting unused. This hoarding of wealth reflects an earthly mindset. It is unjust because it ignores the needy who cannot meet their basic necessities. Their corroded wealth will condemn the evil rich on the day of judgment as evidence of their injustice.
James must have in mind Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:19– 20. Jesus directs his followers to lay up treasures in heaven, rather than on earth. When we examine our lives, can we say we have spent more time and energy laying up treasures on earth or in heaven?
Second, James indicts the evil rich for defrauding their day laborers by withholding their wages (v. 4). Such a practice has several implications. It violated the Law of Moses (Deuteronomy 24:14–15). It also had the potential to cause great harm, as many day laborers depended on their daily wages not just for their livelihood, but also for their survival. The Lord of hosts, the God of human and angelic armies (cf. 1 Sam 17:45; Isaiah 6:1–3), has taken notice of this injustice, and will not allow it to stand.
Once again, Jesus’ instruction in the Sermon on the Mount helps us recognize how to rise above the sin of the evil rich. Instead of defrauding or taking advantage of others, we should treat them the way we would like to be treated (Matthew 7:12).
Next time we will consider the third and fourth charges against the evil rich. Let us examine ourselves, the way we use our physical and financial resources, and the way we treat those who fall under our authority. If James were writing about you, what would he say? Do you prioritize the earthly or the eternal?
Clay Leonard
