In this message, Pastor Scott jumps back into our study of the New Testament book of James and teaches from chapter 5 about riches and the cultural pull towards materialism and gives some biblical reminders on how we can fight it in our lives.
Sermon Notes
THE BOOK OF JAMES
Money and Materialism
“Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.” JAMES 5:1-6
Materialism: the belief that money and possessions are the most important aspects of human existence
IDOLATRY – Trusting in created things rather than the creator.
“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
1. All earthly riches will rot (v. 2-3)
“Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days.” James 5:2-3
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21
“When Jesus warns us not to store up treasures on earth, it’s not just because wealth might be lost; it’s because wealth will always be lost. Either it leaves us while we live or we leave it when we die. No Exceptions.” Randy Alcorn
2. Integrity with money matters (v.4)
“Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.” James 5:4
3. Greed Distorts Reality (v.5-6)
2 ways Greed Distorts Reality:
1. Greed distorts my view of self
“You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.” James 5:5
2. It distorts my view of others
“You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.” James 5:6
