Dwelling in the Gospel, Not in Money or Work (James 5:1-6) {Pastor Stephen Ro}

The Abuse of Wealth

The rich people hoarded riches. The things they held were precious stones & metals, clothes.
The clothes they hoarded got eaten by moths. Anyone have clothes in their closets with the price tags still attached?

The prayer should be OUR daily bread. Not hoarding MY bread.

The rich lived a life of ease. They had no sense of sacrifice or labor. They were self-indulgent. Overconcern with the temporal to the cost of the eternal. That is self-indulgent. Wealth can be destructive without the Lordship of Jesus. We are supposed to be saved to Serve, not self-indulgent.

"I have become increasingly troubled by the state of wealthy US churches. Why do we not pay more attention to God's command to feed the hungry and cloth the naked..."

Common views of work

• Primary identity comes from work
  This is problematic, because this makes work about self-fulfillment. This can make us workaholics or career-ism. Is God serving us or is work serving God?
• Work is to provide
  This robs work of it's intrinsic value. We go by something like this: "I owe, I owe, it's off to work I go." We are supposed to get some pleasure from work.
• Work is a sacrifice for others
  The immigrants came and slaved away to better the next generation. But this too misses the view. It is too limited to the family, the tribe.

Work should be a partnership with God. It allows us to provide and sacrifice to others.
"Work is permiated with purpose it is intended to serve God, benefit humankind, and make nature subservient to the moral program of creation..." -- Carl Henry, Aspects of Christian Social Ethics

Poor people see money as security. Rich people see money as power. Both sides can hoard, but money does not deliver on it's implied promise of either security or power. How then should we view money?

THE Biblical View on Wealth

• Know the temporal and transitory nature of wealth
  (Money comes, money goes...)
• Beware the idolatrous and self-centered snare in wealth
  (For the love of money is the root of all evil....)
• Understand the biblical management and usefulness of wealth
  

How to tell money is an idol? Do a generosity test.

• Do you love to give and share?
• Are you afraid you won't have enough to buy some item you desire?
  
• Do you prefer the company of rich people rather than the people of God?