Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems James 5:1-6

MO’ Money, Mo’ Problems “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire.

MO’ Money, Mo’ Problems You have laid up treasure in the last days. Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.

MO’ Money, Mo’ Problems You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.” James‬ ‭5:1-6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

MO’ Money, Mo’ Problems There was a song written by the group Calloway in 1989 that was called I Want To Be Rich.

MO’ Money, Mo’ Problems Chorus: I want money lots and lots of money I want the pie in the sky I want money lots and lots of money So don't be asking me why I wanna be rich oh I wanna be rich I wanna be rich oh I wanna be rich

MO’ Money, Mo’ Problems Jesus said, "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." (Matthew 19:24 ESV)

MO’ Money, Mo’ Problems Hoarding (5:1-3) “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days.” ‭‭James‬ ‭5:1-3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

MO’ Money, Mo’ Problems Remember what the rich fool said when he had such a mighty windfall of crop? And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.’ (Luke 12:18 ESV)

MO’ Money, Mo’ Problems The early church sold their possessions to help those in need. Are we willing to sell our possessions to help those in need?

MO’ Money, Mo’ Problems Verse 3 puts this all in perspective: Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. James 5:3

MO’ Money, Mo’ Problems Defrauding (5:4) “Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.” James‬ ‭5:4‬ ‭ESV‬‬ We should be generous with our money.

MO’ Money, Mo’ Problems James presents us with two questions: 1. Are we defrauding others? 2. Are we defrauding God?

MO’ Money, Mo’ Problems Self-Indulgent (5:5) "You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.” ‭‭James‬ ‭5:5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

MO’ Money, Mo’ Problems There is a point when we cross the line from enjoying life as a Christian to resting our hope and finding our pleasures in the material things of this world. Have you crossed that line?

MO’ Money, Mo’ Problems How do we know if we are consumed with the pleasures of the world? Do I sound like what James is speaking about? "You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence." Are we consumed with our own pleasures? Do we close our eyes to the needs of our brethren and the needs of the work of God but have our eyes wide open to our own desires and spend for our personal gratification?

MO’ Money, Mo’ Problems “We have indulged ourselves and fattened ourselves for the day of slaughter.” Judgment is coming against us for our self-indulgent lifestyle. The slaughter is coming for the self-indulgent. God will judge us if we choose to stay a self- indulgent cow…….

MO’ Money, Mo’ Problems Oppression (5:6) "You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.” ‭‭James‬ ‭5:6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

MO’ Money, Mo’ Problems The point is the righteous get hurt in our pursuit of wealth. Oppression is the result when we place our hope on wealth.

MO’ Money, Mo’ Problems Application: “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6:17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

MO’ Money, Mo’ Problems APPLICATION: PURSUE GOD, NOT WEALTH! MAKE GOD YOUR EVERYTHING AND HE WILL GIVE YOU EVERY THING YOU NEED! And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

MO’ Money, Mo’ Problems PRAYER: Father, thank you for your grace and mercy in our lives. Thank you for the abundant life that you give. You know our hearts and our desires. If we are focused on accumulating the wealth of this world, change our hearts. Help us to desire the riches that come from living our lives surrendered to you.

MO’ Money, Mo’ Problems Help us to accept that we only need enough money in order to accomplish your will in our lives, and we know that we can trust you to give us that. Help us to accept that we can’t take any of the treasures of the world with us when we leave.

MO’ Money, Mo’ Problems Father, put passion in our hearts for loving you first and loving our neighbor as ourselves. Give us courage to live against the love of money that we see everyday in this world and give us boldness to live our lives according to your word. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems James 5:1-6