Listen

Listen

In the book of James we read

"Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you.  Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.  

Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.  

Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.  

You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.  

You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you." James 5:1-6.

James here issues a warning to the rich who do not care for the poor.

Now there’s nothing wrong with being rich. There have been and are today many wealthy people within the church. Men and women who have help the church with their wealth evangelize and grow.

The problem when it comes to wealth is what are the priorities you put on it and how do you use it.

Jesus said,

"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate theone and love the other or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money" Matthew 6:24.

James in the above quote tells people who put their trust in their riches with no regard for the poor what will happen to them.

The question is will this happen to you?

Please think about it.

Lazarus the rich man and you

 Lazarus the rich man and you

Jesus told this story

"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  

At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 

"The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried.  

In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  

So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.' 

"But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  

And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.' 

"He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house,  

for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.' 

"Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.' 

" ‘No, father Abraham,' he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' 

"He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.' " Luke 16:19-31.

Like I said in my previous blog, there is nothing wrong with being rich. The problem is what you do with the wealth you have, and what priority do you put on it. 

Also, and this applies to everyone it’s all about what you do for God that counts. 

The rich man here could have afforded to help Lazarus yet he didn’t. The rich man didn’t seem to think about anyone but himself.

The old testament that the rich man would have at the very least known about and probably read, has numerous verses about helping the poor. Yet he it seemingly ignored them and God. 

Thus at the end of his life he paid the ultimate price for not following God’s word.

Question; Are you doing what you can to help the poor in whatever way you can?

Where do you think you will spend eternity?

Please think about it?

Listen you Rich

  Listen you Rich

In the book of James we read,

"Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you.  Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.  

Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.  

Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.  

You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.  

You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you." James 5:1-6.

Let me make this statement first. Being rich is not a sin. It’s how you treat your wealth and what you do with it that it the problem. The Apostle Paul wrote,

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." 1 Timothy 6:10.

All too often those who are wealthy take advantage of the poor and helpless. They pay poor wages, and expect loyalty.

In the book of James those who take advantage of the ordinary worker and the poor are warned that God will one day judge them. And this judgement will be far more harsh than any earthly court can impose. 

Thus my question to you who are wealthy. You who run companies big and small is; What will God say to you when you stand before Him? How will God judge you?

Please think about it.

1%

One Percent

The Jesus said,
“But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the menservants and maidservants and to eat and drink and get drunk.  
The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers. 
“That servant who knows his master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows.  
But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” 
                                              Luke 12:45-48.
I heard in the news yesterday that 1% of the worlds population own the majority of the worlds wealth if so it’s a sad state of affairs.
There are those in government that hold to the theory that by keeping taxes low on the rich it will cause a trickle down effect that will help the poor. It does not seem to be working.
Those who do the math tell us that the wealthy are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. This should not be so.
Now there is nothing wrong with being wealthy if it’s earned honestly. But with such wealth I believe one has the responsibility to help others. A good example is Bill Gates founder of Microsoft and Warren Buffet who are using their money to help the poor and needy around the world.
The Talmud tells us this story,
“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?”  He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.”
                                                                             The Talmud.
The rich have a responsibility I believe to the poor, because while it may be their money and ideas that started them on the road to being rich. It is usually the blood, sweat and toil of the poor and middle class that helped them accomplish their goals.
I believe whether you are a believer in Christ or not. Whether you believe in God or not. God has given you the wealth to you and no matter how little or how much you have, God will, as he will with all people ultimately judge you.
Regardless of whether you believe in God or not is it not the humane thing to do. To help your fellow man.
Not everyone can be rich, but no one, anywhere in the world should be dying because of starvation or preventable illness.
If you are a Christian businessman or woman consider your work practices. Are you doing what God would have you do?
Are you paying your workers a good honest wage with good benefits? Are those who work for you able to live without need? Do they have the basics of life, good food, good housing, good health and medical benefits?
Even if you are not Christian are not what I’ve listed above only right if you are truly a good human being?
Think about it.