Rich Oppressors Beware Devotional Thoughts

Rich Oppressors Beware
 
We have heard a lot the past few years about the growing gap between the rich and poor in society. Much has been written regarding the ever-widening gap, and possible solutions to the situation. It is not my intention to side with anyone on this matter, rather to simply listen to the Holy Spirit as He speaks these truths to my heart. Money is a neutral vehicle; it can be used for good or evil. It is the love of money which is the root of evil. What James exposes in our reading today is the exploitation of the poor by the rich and the warning to them of the fleeting nature of riches, and the impending judgement which awaits.
 
James 5:1 – 6 [NASB]
Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. 2 Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure! 4 Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. 5 You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you.
 
The history of humanity is full of the tragic stories of those who had vast fortunes, but lived hollow, empty lives. Who built a fortune on the backs of underpaid workers, or who failed to pay their workers for their labor. Individuals who saw their vast fortunes devoured by foolish investments and who died broken and alone abandoned by the crowds and adoring fans.
 
Make no mistake about believing the scriptural warning about riches.
 
1 Timothy 6:9-11 [NASB] 9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
 
11 But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.
 
Jesus told the parable of the Rich man and Lazarus to illustrate this point as well in Luke 16:19 – 31 [NASB]
 
The Rich Man and Lazarus
19 “Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. 20 And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, 21 and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man’s table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores. 22 Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and *saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony. 26 And [r]besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us.’ 27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, that you send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—in order that he may warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham *said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 But he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them fro