Ok, that was a little harsh, but you get my point. And I don't think it's that far from the truth in some cases. But my question is this: if Christianity teaches us not to hate or judge others, why do we spend so much time hating and judging the rich?
It is not surprising that this passage from James is often abused, misinterpreted, and used to condemn. Condemning the rich is an epidemic in this country, which I daresay is some cases is born out of envy. James uses one of our favorite punching bags - the rich - to make a point about how we are supposed to treat each other. And as usual, pastors, politicians, and everyone else who felt their day had come took it to blame the rich for all the ills of society.
But you know what? Money isn't the problem. People are the problem. And people use money for their own selfish gain, just as they would use some other tool if it were at their disposal.
Rich people aren't evil. Well, some of them are. But so are some poor people, and I think in the end the evilness evens itself out. It's true that those "in power" have more "weapons" to use against others. But I know plenty of people without the weapon of money that have used their mouths and their ability to manipulate other people to hurt others without spending a dime. So, what's the greater sin?
That's an easy answer - there is no greater sin, but a missed opportunity. The opportunity to do something about an injustice rather than standing on a street corner outside some company headquarters telling everyone how evil your most hated CEO is. If someone has done something wrong and you have the proof, go report it and then go about your merry way. If we spent half the energy we use up complaining about the world doing something good for it, we'd all be in a much better place. Rich people have just as many problems as the rest of the world does - sometimes more, because of their wealth. Their money is not going to help them when a loved one dies, or when they are in a state of spiritual weakness, or when their marriage is falling apart, or when their kid screams "I hate you!" right at their face. Money may buy them more resources to deal with these things, but the pain is still the same.
We are all called to serve where we are. Including the rich. Imagine the good you could do with a million dollars in your bank account. I wish I was rich. I wish I could use my imagined great wealth to help my family pay their bills and fix their houses. I wish I could use my imagined great wealth to help my friends in times of need and unemployment. I wish I could write a big, fat check to help fund an industrious initiative to help the younger generation of today learn how to live with dignity and character.
If I had this wealth, would I want nice things for myself? Of course. Jesus never said it was wrong to have nice stuff. Or even a lot of nice stuff. He said it was wrong to value that stuff more than we valued God or each other. Jesus never told us that we all had to be destitute to be faithful. He taught us that we had to be willing to give away what we had to benefit others. And some of us have more to give than others - thanks be to God, because someone will benefit from that largess.
But you know what? Money isn't the problem. People are the problem. And people use money for their own selfish gain, just as they would use some other tool if it were at their disposal.
Rich people aren't evil. Well, some of them are. But so are some poor people, and I think in the end the evilness evens itself out. It's true that those "in power" have more "weapons" to use against others. But I know plenty of people without the weapon of money that have used their mouths and their ability to manipulate other people to hurt others without spending a dime. So, what's the greater sin?
That's an easy answer - there is no greater sin, but a missed opportunity. The opportunity to do something about an injustice rather than standing on a street corner outside some company headquarters telling everyone how evil your most hated CEO is. If someone has done something wrong and you have the proof, go report it and then go about your merry way. If we spent half the energy we use up complaining about the world doing something good for it, we'd all be in a much better place. Rich people have just as many problems as the rest of the world does - sometimes more, because of their wealth. Their money is not going to help them when a loved one dies, or when they are in a state of spiritual weakness, or when their marriage is falling apart, or when their kid screams "I hate you!" right at their face. Money may buy them more resources to deal with these things, but the pain is still the same.
We are all called to serve where we are. Including the rich. Imagine the good you could do with a million dollars in your bank account. I wish I was rich. I wish I could use my imagined great wealth to help my family pay their bills and fix their houses. I wish I could use my imagined great wealth to help my friends in times of need and unemployment. I wish I could write a big, fat check to help fund an industrious initiative to help the younger generation of today learn how to live with dignity and character.
If I had this wealth, would I want nice things for myself? Of course. Jesus never said it was wrong to have nice stuff. Or even a lot of nice stuff. He said it was wrong to value that stuff more than we valued God or each other. Jesus never told us that we all had to be destitute to be faithful. He taught us that we had to be willing to give away what we had to benefit others. And some of us have more to give than others - thanks be to God, because someone will benefit from that largess.
So quit bad mouthing those who have more than you. Because don't forget - if you live in this country, you ARE the rich person. Go be an example and do something good for someone else.
My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, "Have a seat here, please," while to the one who is poor you say, "Stand there," or, "Sit at my feet," have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you?
You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. [For the one who said, "You shall not commit adultery," also said, "You shall not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery but if you murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill," and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. James 2:1-17
My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, "Have a seat here, please," while to the one who is poor you say, "Stand there," or, "Sit at my feet," have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you?
You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. [For the one who said, "You shall not commit adultery," also said, "You shall not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery but if you murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill," and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. James 2:1-17
Nicole you are right on. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post. This is my first time visit. What a sermon you gave. I don't feel the need to go to church tomorrow. Oh wait, I have tomorrow off. :) I am attending Chris' church, however. That is beside the point. Great writing. Perhaps you should be behind the pulpit as well as at the keyboard. Blessings to you.
ReplyDeleteExcellent words. True, honest, and verifiable thoughts. Thank you.
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