9 Who’s the Boss?

Arrogance The Three Dangers Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” - James 4:13

Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. - James 4:14

Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” - James 4:15

But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. - James 4:16

Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin. - James 4:17

The sin is not failure in business, the sin is failing to put our business into God’s hands.

The Three Dangers Arrogance Greed

Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. - James 5:1

Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure! - James 5:2-3

When Jesus comes in His glory the worthlessness of material things will be revealed.

The Three Dangers Arrogance Greed Injustice

Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. - James 5:4

You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. - James 5:5

You have condemned and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you. - James 5:6

Death of the poor is the ultimate injustice caused by greed and arrogance.

What should the Christian business ethic look like?

Christian Business Ethic Bring all business to God in prayer.

Christian Business Ethic Bring all business to God in prayer. God provides wealth to enable the serving of others.

Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; - II Cor. 9:6-8

- II Cor. 9:9-11 as it is written, “He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever.” Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. - II Cor. 9:9-11

God provides abundance so we can: Glorify Him Protect the soul

John Wesley (Jun. 17, 1703 – Mar. 2, 1791)

“I fling money out of my hands as quickly as possible lest it finds its way into my heart.”

NEXT WEEK P.S. ... From James