James 5:6 KJV [6] “Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.” We read in the Scriptures that evil, rich men have killed the righteous. Those righteous heroes of the faith died willingly without any resistance. Think of our Savior who willingly gave His life into the hands of sinful man. Organized religion, money, and power are what motivated men to crucify the most righteous man that ever lived. We know this was all a part of God’s plan, but every man involved made a conscience decision in the matter. I think about …
“The Price of Pleasure”
James 5:5 KJV [5] “Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.” The men in our text have lived in pleasure on this earth. They have enjoyed the luxuries of life by mistreating others. They have nourished their hearts while others have suffered and lived in want. Our verse states that their lives of ease have left them wanting and brought them to judgment. They are like animals feasting their way to the slaughterhouse. They live every day as if they will live forever and …
“The Lord of Sabaoth”
James 5:4 KJV [4] “Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.” This title for God is used only here and in Romans 9:29. It is used many times in the Old Testament as the “Lord of Hosts” and is primarily a military term. The Lord is going to return in judgment with His armies one day. He has heard the cries of the mistreated, seen every dirty …
“The Witness of Wealth”
James 5:3 KJV [3] “Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.” If your wealth had a voice, what would it say? How would it testify on your behalf? Would it testify for you or against you? Now, you might think you are not a wealthy person, and you are barely getting by from day to day, but dear reader, if you compare your possessions to what others have, you will find …
“Rusty Gold and Tattered Garments”
James 5:2 KJV [2] “Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.” God will not bless someone who tries to gain wealth at the expense of others. Greed has destroyed a lot of men in this world. Some men have gone so far as to sell their souls to the Devil to get rich. Gold fever has brought death and destruction to many good men. Wealth in itself is not sinful. However, when someone tries to obtain wealth by robbing others, that is a sin. Crooked politicians do it daily in our country. They pass laws to …