"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."
Wow.
A LOT going on in this passage written by Jesus Christ's brother, "James" (really, Jacob - but that's for another time). I recently read this passage and then a brief commentary by a deservedly respected Bible scholar.
The scholar said that we should read the "rich" in the first sentence as 'un-saved people.' Hmmmm. What the text says is "rich," as in wealthy, resourced, and economically advantaged. Is the scholar assuming that if you are rich, you cannot be 'saved?' While there is much teaching about the dangers of earthly wealth and prosperity throughout Jesus' and the Apostles' teaching; there seems to be clear evidence that wealthy people were Christians in the early church. Does the scholar imply that those people referred to in the Bible were not really saved? That seems unlikely. How about this? Does the scholar mean that "saved" wealthy people are given a free pass to economically abuse their workers and enjoy self-indulgent luxury? Also, not likely! What the scholar probably meant, but imprecisely stated, is that James' comments were directed to those unsaved people who have invested heavily in this world and have amassed resources - usually by fraud, oppression, and abuse of the dis-advantaged.
However, it also seems to me that the scholar may be missing something, as well. What about those "Christian" business owners who, through 'sharp practices,' gain advantage, profit, and worldly success?
Let's be clear: no Christian is perfect, holy, ethical, moral, or wholly good ... in themselves. This is a big point of the gospel of salvation by Christ: all our 'standing' before God is based on 'alien' (no, not space creatures: rather, 'something from outside') righteousness. That is, Jesus takes our badness and gives us his goodness - we are righteous before God based on the goodness of Jesus that he gives us. Our own 'goodness' is no good. The point is that if you think that Christians are better than anyone else, in themselves, you are mistaken and will be horribly disappointed.
To my point in this post: "Christian businessmen" are certainly capable of rationalizing their own economic sins just as easily as any other Christian rationalizes their sins of hate, laziness, lust, pride, gluttony, and so forth.
So, is it possible for a "Christian" business owner to economically abuse their employees? Oh, yes - and I've seen it happen. In the first place, there are some Christian businessmen who can, have, and do economically abuse their employees, customers, and vendors. Why? Because we are still sinners - still badly broken and messed up, motivated by fear and hate, clinging on to our worldly nature rather than fully embracing the Kingdom of God. Yes, there are a few Christians who economically sin against others.
Secondly, I use quotes around the word because it needs to be said that not everyone who claims to be a Christian really is. If someone says they are a Christian, a true follower of Jesus, then I give them that presumption. But presumptions can be rebutted. Jesus warned us about false-speakers saying that "You will recognize them by their fruits" (Matt 7:16). Consider the possibility that someone claiming to be a follower of Jesus is either self-deluded or trying to delude you. One of Jesus' most chilling teaching was that as he will be judging humanity, there will be those who (Matt 7:21) claim Jesus as their Lord, but did not do the will of God - and they will not enter God's Kingdom (cf. Matt 25:31ff).
This brings us back to the scholar's imprecise interpretation: the "rich" is only only about unsaved wealthy people. Stated like that and as we have seen, the answer is no. Now, the question is, what is James saying to the wealthy Christian? Specifically, to the Christian who became wealthy through economic sin?
OK, here is the power of the Gospel of our salvation: that sinner is forgiven of their sins!
But.
It is also a principle that their sins in this world will deny them riches, honor, and even placement in God's Kingdom. To be sinfully rich in this world will result in relative poverty in the next. Will they be saved? Yes. Will there be regrets? Oh, yes.
What then? True-believer-in-Jesus-businessperson - if you've stolen, withheld, misrepresented, defrauded, or abused others; then it is time to repent. Now. Repent, reconcile, and restore. You don't want to hear the thunderous screams of those you exploited while Jesus is looking at you on That Day.
Repent; or you will be in trouble.
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