Materialism vs God

Many in the church today are accepted as Christians because they talk about Jesus and claim a superficial
allegiance to Him. But their lust for money and possessions betrays their true allegiance.

Don’t Be Materialistic (5:1–6)

James spoke prior in his letter about how God rules over time, and requires our obedience to His will in all use of it. The same worldview is extended now with material wealth: God rules over wealth and requires our obedience to His will in our use of it. This is not just about the ability to save and not spend for your future or early retirement. If you are not giving back to God now and helping others with real needs now, that is still materialistic.

James’ Christian readers are suffering many trials, including economic hardship from persecution by the rich (2:6–7). These suffering Christians would be easily tempted to become discouraged, resentful, vengeful, jealous and covetous. As a result, they could become just as thoroughly corrupted by materialism as their rich oppressors.

Misery for the Rich is Coming (5:1–3)

The rich will lose their wealth, and the destruction of the wealth will consume the rich who are without Christ. They will have guilt from the evidence against them and horrible pain from being devoured in the judgment upon them.

The Specific Sins of the Rich (5:3–6)

James described the greed of the rich, which consisted of hoarding wealth and living in luxury and self-indulgence. The injustice of the rich consisted of cheating workers of their wages and condemning and murdering innocent people. They were victimizing people who were not even “opposing” them as enemies and who did not have any real power to resist them.

Face Your Trials with Patience

James has already expressed his outrage. However, his concern is still for purity among the Christians.
He discerns the danger of falling into sin here. The danger of temptation is present in the midst of trials
such as those inflicted by rich oppressors, to act just like them.

The Nature of Christian Patience (5:7–8)

James gives six practical perspectives enabling believers to patiently endure trials: anticipate the Lord’s coming, recognize the Lord’s judgment, follow the Lord’s servants, understand the Lord’s blessing, realize the Lord’s purpose, and always consider the Lord’s character.

The future return of Christ is the event that motivates Christians to persevere in the endurance of suffering. Do you want to learn patience? Since you have set your heart on becoming mature and complete, and since you hope for Christ’s return, now choose to stand firm.

Standing Firm Means Practicing Christian Patience (5:9–11)

Patience does not grumble against each other (5:9). Follow the models that are given (5:10–11), the prophets and Job. Remember, those who endure are blessed. God’s work in the life of the persevering believer is to bless. He will use trials to bring good gifts to us. All of this demonstrates the character of the Lord, and it is the message of grace. God gives good gifts because He is full of compassion and mercy.

Practical Instructions (5:12–20)

What you say reveals your heart. Why would these Christians would be swearing with oaths? They are just like us when we face difficulties: the temptation to strike bargains with God, swearing ‘to do one thing or another’ if only God would deliver them/us from our difficulties. It is through lack of faith that we disbelieve God’s “compassion and mercy” and so want to strike a bargain. James is saying, do not allow suffering to pressure you into unbelief. Do not try to impress each other or to manipulate God as if your works were what counted instead of God’s grace. If you are trusting in God’s grace, you have no need to impress God or people, and you can be at peace with saying honest words.

Don’t State Oaths, Just Pray (5:13–18)

Praying is the alternative to swearing. Pray in times of trouble. Pray in times of happiness. Pray in times of sickness. Pray in all kinds of circumstances. The habit of prayer should be, and is, one of the most obvious features which differentiates a Christian from other people.

James Concludes With a Salvation Warning

The last two verses express James’s primary objective in writing his epistle: to confront those in the assembly of believers who possessed false, dead faith. He was deeply concerned that no one be deceived about his/her salvation.

God has granted to all believers the ministry of reconciling wandering souls to Himself. When the evidence indicates a professed believer’s faith is not real, true Christians, knowing the terrible threat of eternal death that person faces, must make it their goal to help turn him/her back from sin to genuine saving faith in God.