Historical Posts
James 05:01-06 Why Does God Get Angry at the Rich? audio
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Text: James 5:1-6
Introduction
1. Compared to many people in the world, we are indeed blessed; in fact, in comparison with most people who live now and who have lived in the past, we are VERY RICH!
2. Now, it is important to stress that God does not condemn the rich for being rich
a. Some of the godliest people in the Bible were rich
b. For example, Job, Abraham, Joseph, David, Solomon, Barnabas, Philemon, Lydia
3. However, Christ does speak of the difficulty of the rich being saved – Matthew 19:23-26
4. And there are times when God is very angry at the rich, as in our text:
5. As we consider this passage more carefully, we shall do so by trying to answer four questions:
a. Who is James addressing in this passage?
b. What is in store for these rich people?
c. Why is God so angry at them?
d. What applications can we draw from this passage?
Body
I. WHO IS JAMES ADDRESSING IN THIS PASSAGE?
A. ARE THEY CHRISTIANS?
1. Are these rich Christians who had been guilty of oppressing their brethren?
2. Possibly, but unlikely for several reasons
a. They are not addressed as “brethren” as is often done in this epistle – James 1:2, 19; 2:1, 14; 3:1, 10; 4:11
b. There is no call to repentance in this passage
1) As there is throughout this epistle in those passages in which it is clear brethren are being addressed
2) Here there is only condemnation!
c. The brethren are not addressed until James 5:7, in which THEY are told to be patient in light of what has just been said
B. MORE LIKELY, THOSE ADDRESSED ARE RICH UNBELIEVERS
1. Who had been oppressing the Christians – James 2:6
2. This tirade of judgment upon them appears to serve the purpose of comforting the brethren who were being oppressed by them – James 5:7
a. The Lord has heard their cries – James 5:4b
b. Judgment is coming upon these rich oppressors
c. Therefore the Christians are told to be patient
II. WHAT IS IN STORE FOR THESE RICH OPPRESSORS?
A. MISERIES THAT WILL CAUSE THEM TO “WEEP AND HOWL”! – James 5:3a
1. So certain are these miseries to come, that James speaks of them already occuring!
a. Riches are corrupted
b. Garments are moth-eaten
c. Gold and silver are corroded
2. When this “corrosion” of their riches occurs
a. It will serve as a witness against them
b. It will eat their flesh like fire
1) The anguish and misery of poverty usually affects the hardest those who were once rich!
2) Thus, when poverty strikes, it will make them “weep and howl” as though they were on fire!
B. THE MISERIES SPOKEN HERE MAY HAVE REFERENCE TO WHAT LATER OCCURRED IN THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM IN 70 A.D.
1. Not long after this epistle was written Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans
2. Many of the rich Jews who had oppressed their Christian brethren literally “weeped and howled”
3. What they had failed to realize was that they had heaped up treasure “in the last days” – James 5:3b
a. Like the man in the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21), they thought they were laying up riches for their latter days
b. When in fact, it was the “last days” of the Jewish economy when they were so busy storing up wealth!
c. Like some today, who store up for retirement and then die before they retire!
III. WHY IS GOD SO ANGRY AT THESE RICH PEOPLE?
A. BECAUSE OF HOW THEY USED THEIR WEALTH
1. They hoarded their wealth – James 5:3b
2. They spent it on themselves with pleasures and luxury – James 5:5
3. They used the power that comes with wealth to oppress “the just” – James 5:6
a. Possibly a reference to Christ
b. Or the Christian whom they also oppressed
B. BECAUSE OF HOW THEY GOT THEIR WEALTH
1. It was through wicked means – James 5:4
2. Specifically, by withholding wages from those who had worked for them
3. Just as some people today get rich through dishonest schemes or unjust labor practices!
IV. WHAT APPLICATIONS CAN WE DRAW?
A. WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL HOW WE USE OUR WEALTH
1. To spend it on luxurious living when others are suffering
a. Is exactly what James has described in this passage
b. Is an indication of the lack of the love of God – 1 John 3:17
2. According to the New Testament, the purpose of working is not to obtain wealth for our own gratification, but to help those less fortunate!
a. As commanded by Paul – Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy 6:17-19
b. As exemplified by Paul – Acts 20:34-35
B. WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL HOW WE OBTAIN OUR WEALTH
1. To do so at the expense of others will bring God’s wrath upon us! – Deuteronomy 24:14-15
2. It is wrong to think that success can only come by stepping on others
3. This might be an appropriate place to add what we learn from Paul in 1 Timothy 6:9-10
a. It is not riches that are wrong, but the DESIRE TO BE RICH that is wrought with many dangers!
b. Riches are not wrong if they are the BY-PRODUCT of our endeavors, not the GOAL of those endeavors!
1) For example, one may desire to be a doctor to help the sick, or a plumber because of one’s skill or interest in such matters, and receive riches as a by-product because of the value society might place on such services
2) But to enter such professions solely because one’s goal is to get rich thereby, then we are ensnared by the love of money!
4. So how do we obtain our wealth?
a. If we do it honestly and in compensation for a job well done, then God is pleased
b. But if we do it by hurting others and by making wealth our primary object, then we are in danger of God’s wrath!
Conclusion
1. Living in the country and society in which we do, we have much for which to be thankful
2. But we also have much of which we need to beware:
a. We live in a society where it is quite possible to become wealthy
b. We live in a society where covetousness or the desire to be rich are not considered sins
c. We live in a society where heaping up treasures for our own gratification is considered an inalienable right!
d. It is easy to be influenced by these values!
3. Perhaps we need to ask ourselves constantly: Are we laying up treasure in heaven, or on earth?
a. Those who lay up treasure in heaven are those who use their wealth to do good and help the poor and less fortunate – Matthew 19:21; 1 Timothy 6:18-19
b. Those who lay up treasure on earth are actually storing up for themselves miseries and wrath!
1) Miseries…when their wealth fails them in their time of true need
2) Wrath…from God in the Day of wrath that is yet to come
4. These are sobering thoughts worthy of our careful consideration…Have you even begun to lay up treasure in heaven by obeying the gospel of Christ?
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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2 Peter 1:12-15 Lord, Remind Me – audio
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Text: 2 Peter 1:12-15
Introduction.
1. Recently, at one of the Friday Night Sings, we sang a song that really spoke to me.
2. The title is Remind Me, Dear Lord. By Dottie Rambo.
The things that I love and hold dear to my heart Are just borrowed,
they’re not mine at all; Jesus only let me use them to brighten my life,
So remind me, remind me, dear Lord
(Chorus)
Roll back the curtain of mem’ry now and then,
Show me where you brought me from and where I could have been;
Just Remember I’m a human and humans forget –
so remind me, remind me, dear Lord
Nothing good have I done to deserve God’s own son,
I’m not worthy of the scars in His hands; Yet he chose the road to
Calv’ry to die in my stead – Why he loved me, I can’t understand
3. We so often need reminded!
4. 2 Peter 1:12-15.
For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.
5. Thankfully, we have a God who knows us and knows that we need reminded so often!
6. What are some of the things of which we need reminded?
Body
I. LORD, WHEN I AM TEMPTED TO GIVE UP, REMIND ME THAT YOU NEVER GAVE UP ON ME.
A. At one time or another, all of us have been tempted to hang it up.
1. The parable of the sower teaches us that two out of three who obey the gospel will not remain faithful.
2. What are the causes of their falling away?
3. Matthew 13:20-22.
But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
a) Persecution – which comes in many forms.
b) The cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches.
4. There are other things that make us want to throw in the towel.
a) Disappointment in ourselves.
b) Disappointment in others.
B. When you are tempted to give up, remember that Jesus didn’t give up on you!
1. He endured mocking and ridicule for you. Matthew 27:27-29.
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
2. He was beaten for you. Matthew 27:26. Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.
3. He carried that cross until He couldn’t carry it anymore. Matthew 27:32. Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross.
4. He was crucified for you.
5. My precious Savior suffered pain and agony, He bore it all, that I might live.
C. Lord, when I am tempted to give up, remind me that what I am going through is NOTHING compared to what you went through for me!
II. LORD, WHEN I AM TEMPTED TO FEEL SORRY FOR MYSELF, REMIND ME OF MY BLESSINGS.
A. We all get sad from time to time.
1. Jesus did. John 11:35. Jesus wept.
2. Many things cause us to be sad.
a) Seeing sin in the world.
b) Disappointment in others.
c) Death of a loved one.
d) Troubles at work or school.
e) Troubles in relationships.
f) Financial problems.
g) Health problems.
3. It has been said that all of us are either just getting out of a trial, just getting into a trial, or we are in a trial right now!
B. What happens, though, is we often go from feeling sad to feeling sorry for ourselves.
1. A person who feels sorry for himself is one who starts to think that he has it worse than anyone else.
2. He focuses inward on his pain and sorrow rather than outward.
3. He starts to get a little angry with the world and maybe even God.
C. When we start to feel sorry for ourselves, we need to remember our blessings!
1. I don’t care who you are and what problems your having, if you are in Christ, YOU ARE BLESSED!
2. Spiritually we are blessed. Ephesians 1:3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ
3. Physically we are blessed. Matthew 6:33. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
a) Are you going hungry? Many in the world are.
b) Do you have a roof over your head. Many in the world don’t.
c) Do you have warm clothes for the cold weather that is coming. Some don’t.
4. When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, when you are discouraged thinking all is lost…Count your many blessings name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
D. Lord, remind me of my blessings.
III. LORD, WHEN I GET ANGRY WITH OTHERS, REMIND ME THAT I AM NOT PERFECT EITHER.
A. It is not a sin to get angry.
1. Jesus got angry. Mark 3:1-5.
And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. And He said to the man who had the withered hand, “Step forward.” Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent. And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.
2. We are told to be angry. Ephesians 4:26. “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath,
B. We are to be angry without sin. We are not to let the sun go down on our wrath.
1. It is one thing to be angry about sin and another thing to hold a personal grudge.
2. Maybe it would help us to be more forgiving if we remember, we are not perfect either.
3. Matthew 18:21-35.
Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”
C. Lord, remind me that I am not perfect either.
IV. LORD, WHEN I PUT THINGS OFF, REMIND ME THAT LIFE IS SHORT.
A. Procrastination is a universal problem.
1. We put off things, intending to do them later.
2. We put off…
a) Work around the house.
b) Getting into shape.
c) Working on our relationships.
d) Obedience to the gospel.
e) Talking to others about Jesus.
B. Lord, remind us that we may not have a tomorrow.
1. James 4:13-14.
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will[g] go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
2. Life is too short to procrastinate!
3. None of us is guaranteed another day.
Conclusion
1. Lord, remind me…
2. When I am tempted to give up, remind me that you never gave up on me.
3. When I am tempted to feel sorry for myself, remind me of my blessings.
4. When I get angry with others, remind me that I am not perfect either.
5. When I procrastinate, remind me that life is short.
Delivered on: September 16, 2012. Streetsboro.
Content by Ralph Price
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James 01:19-20 Slow to Wrath – audio
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Text: James 1:19-20
Introduction
1. We find a threefold injunction in James 1:19-20:
a. Swift to hear
b. Slow to speak
c. Slow to wrath
2. From the context, it appears that these admonitions are given in regards to our reception of the Word of God – James 1:18; James 1:21
a. Therefore, they are qualities needed especially in times of trial when we need most the Word of God
b. In other words, we need to humbly and calmly be receptive to what the Word of God has to say
3. In this lesson, I wish to concentrate our attention on the third admonition: slow to wrath
a. Especially in view of James 1:20 – For the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God
b. And also because wrath (and its close cousin anger) are too often excused as minor sins
Body
I. AN OVERALL LOOK AT ANGER AND WRATH
A. DEFINING ANGER AND WRATH
1. ANGER – (Greek, orge)
a. Indignation which has arisen gradually and become more settled – THAYER
b. ORGE suggests a more settled or abiding condition of mind, frequently with a view to taking revenge – VINE
c. Anger, then, is a lingering, seething emotion
2. WRATH – (Greek, thumos)
a. The sudden outburst of passionate anger
b. The blaze of temper which flares into violent words and deeds, and just as quickly dies
c. Today we would call this blowing off steam
B. THE OLD TESTAMENT BOOKS OF WISDOM SAY MUCH ABOUT ANGER AND WRATH
1. In the Psalms: Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm – Psalms 37:8
2. In the book of Proverbs:
a. A quick-tempered man acts foolishly – Proverbs 14:17
b. He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly – Proverbs 14:29
c. A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention – Proverbs 15:18
d. He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city – Proverbs 16:32
e. A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again – Proverbs 19:19
f. Better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and angry woman – Proverbs 21:19
g. Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul – Proverbs 22:24-25
3. In the book of Ecclesiastes: Do not hasten in thy spirit to be angry: for anger rests in the bosom of fools – Ecclesiastes 7:9
C. THE NEW TESTAMENT ALSO SAYS MUCH AGAINST ANGER AND WRATH
1. To the brethren in Rome, Paul wrote: Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord – Romans 12:19
2. It is included with those things Paul lists as the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21
3. To the Ephesians Paul writes: Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice – Ephesians 4:31
4. In a similar vein to the Colossians: But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth – Colossians 3:8
D. HAVING SAID ALL THAT, WE MUST ALSO NOTE THAT:
1. Paul seems to concede that there is a place for a certain kind of anger: Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath – Ephesians 4:26
2. On several occasions Jesus expressed anger
a. Towards the money changers in the temple – John 2:13-17
b. Towards the hypocritical scribes and Pharisees – Matthew 23:13-36
3. In both testaments, God is presented as a God of anger as well as a God of love
a. In the Old Testament:
1) Psalms 78:49-51
2) Psalms 78:58-61
3) Therefore the anger of the LORD is aroused against His people; He has stretched out His hand against them And stricken them, And the hills trembled. Their carcasses were as refuse in the midst of the streets. For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still – Isaiah 5:25
b. In the New Testament:
1) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness – Romans 1:18
2) Romans 2:4-11
4. How do we then reconcile those passages which demand that anger and wrath is folly and something to be put away, with those that speak of anger on the part of God, Christ and even the Christian?
II. A CLOSER LOOK AT ANGER AND WRATH
A. CONCERNING THE ANGER OF GOD
1. God’s anger is ALWAYS A JUST REACTION TO EVIL – Romans 1:18-2:11
a. Being Divine, and all-knowing, His wrath is NEVER MISGUIDED
b. He is therefore capable of properly directing anger and wrath
2. Man, with his imperfections, is not so capable!
a. Man’s anger is often misguided (through ignorance, misunderstanding, etc.)
b. Haven’t we all been angry about something, later regretting it when we realize we were in error?
3. Therefore, just because God may display wrath and anger, this does not necessarily justify man doing so!
B. CONCERNING THE ANGER OF CHRIST
1. What has already been said of God could also be said of Christ
a. Especially in light of His ability to read the hearts of men – John 2:24-25
b. With such divine knowledge, He could not mistakenly direct wrath and anger
2. Also, in the examples of His anger
a. There is nothing of self-interest
b. Only HOLY ANGER against unrighteousness which is abhorrent to God
3. He was angry, but only for God’s honor!
a. When personally abused, He said nothing – 1 Peter 2:21-23
b. But when it was against God, He displayed righteous anger
4. Again, man with his imperfections often uses anger improperly
a. For example
1) We remain silent when sin is exalted and GOD is dishonored
2) But then get angry when someone offends US personally!
b. Too often, therefore, what we justify as righteous indignation is really SELF-righteous indignation!
C. CONCERNING THE ANGER IN EPHESIANS 4:26
1. Whatever our understanding, it needs to be in harmony with the context
2. Especially with what Paul writes just a few verses later: Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice – Ephesians 4:31
3. I understand this passage, rather than justifying anger, to be directing us how to deal with it when it arises in our heart:
a. First, DO NOT SIN
1) The emotion must be CONTROLLED
2) Don’t allow it to manifest itself in a sinful way
3) Such as saying or doing something that is wrong
b. Then, DO NOT LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON YOUR WRATH
1) The emotion must be DISPELLED BEFORE NIGHTFALL
2) Otherwise, we may be giving Satan ample opportunity to tempt us to sin – Ephesians 4:27
4. In view of what Paul actually says in Ephesians 4:26 and then later in Ephesians 4:31, it seems highly unlikely that he is justifying anger and wrath
Conclusion
1. Concerning the subject of anger and wrath, we would do well to take James’ admonition to heart and to be slow to wrath
2. For though the wrath of God may on occasions accomplish the righteousness of God, it is clearly stated that the wrath of man does not: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God – James 1:20
3. Following the example of Christ, there may be a place for anger, but if so, ONLY in things pertaining to the honor and will of God!
4. In all other things, we would do well to remember another admonition:
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all [men], apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And [that] they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will – 2 Timothy 2:24-26
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to Wrath – James 1:19
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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