Challenge Of Arrogance And Wealth
Jas. 5:1-6; 1 Tim 6:10
Introduction:
A. Compared to most of the world we are indeed blessed. In fact,
compared to most people who live now and who have lived in
the past, we are very rich. We need to understand, there is
nothing wrong with being rich, in and of itself. But the Bible
does speak of the difficulty of the rich being saved (Matt
19:23-26).
B. Chapter 4 of James warns against the spirit that manifests itself
as the enemy of God: materialism. The closing verses note that
our attitude toward material possessions is a result of not
stopping to consider the nature of life, especially the future.
C. The first six verses of chapter 5 continue on the subject of
materialism and its corrupting influence.
I. Example Of Those Who Have Wealth
A. Rich Young Ruler - Matt19:16-22
B. Rich Man - Lk 16:15-31
C. Zacchaeus - Lk 19:1-10
II. Sins Of The Rich - 1 Tim 6:17-16
A. Kept back wages - V. 4
1. Condemned - Lev 19:13; Jer 22:13
2. Even in New Testament - Col 4:1; Matt 10:10
B. Lived luxuriously on the earth- V. 5
1. Lived an opulent lifestyle - Eccl. 2:1-10
2. Happiness come from within, not external wealth - Lk
12:15-21
C. Taken Pleasure - V. 5
1. Consuming in extravagant fashion the blessings of God
2. Those that live for pleasure alone soon lose ability to
live for anything else
3. Jesus warned of this - Lk 21:34-35
D. Fattened your hearts as in the day of slaughter - V. 5
1. Accumulating large amounts of worldly goods - Amos
6:1-6
2. 2 Cor 5:10
E. Condemned & killed the just - V. 5
1. Able to influence justice because of their position - Jer
22:17; Psa 94:21
2. Jas 1:13-15
3. Just (or just man) is representative of class in contrast to
wicked - Isa 3:10
Ill. Attitude Of The Christian
A. Life of Faith -2 Cor 5:7
1. Consider Paul's manner - Gal 2:20
2. Faith based on God's word - Rom 10:17
B. Life of humility - Phil 2:14; Lk 6:20; Isa 66:1-3
1. Will obey God - Acts 20:19
2. Will serve others - Rom 12:16; 1 Pet 5:5
C. Humble service means use wealth wisely
1. Liberal contribution to the Lord - I Cor 16:12; 2 Cor 9:7
2. To pay taxes - Rom 13:7; Matt 22:17-21
3. Provide for family - 1 Tim 5:8, 16
4. To maintain good works - Matt 6:19-20
a. Do good to all men - Gal 6:10
b. Give to him who has need - Eph 4:28
c. Visit fatherless and widows - Jas 1:27
d. Compassionate toward brother in need - 1 Jn 3:1718
e. Compassion on any in need - Lk 10:30-36
Conclusion:
A. Wealth is not in and of itself wrong. The problem is that most
of the time wealth causes us to forget God and place out trust
in our earthly possessions The Christian should be concerned
with what the word of God has to say on the subject and see
that his attitude is in harmony with the mind of God.
B. We need to ask ourselves constantly: Are we laying up
treasures in heaven or on earth? Those who lay up treasures in
heaven are those who use their wealth to do good and help the
poor and less fortunate. Those who lay up treasure on earth are
actually storing up for themselves wrath and misery.
C. Phil 4:8-13