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Ancient painting of Job

James 5:1-12
Warning to the Rich

1Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. 2Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. 3Your 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. 4Behold, 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. 5You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.

Patience in Suffering
7Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9Do not grumble against one another, brothers,so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. 10As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
12But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

Reflection:

The outstanding fact underlying James’ warnings to the rich is this:
Their wealth is perishable; their injustice to the poor and to their workmen will have an eternal consequence – God’s judgement.

The fact underlying James’ counsel (Be patient, stand firm and persevere) to the oppressed is this:
The Lord who is full of compassion and mercy is coming again with justice.

Particular warnings:
Do not store up treasures that can perish, and avoid living luxuriously and indulgently. To the employers: Don’t fail to pay wages!

Don’t grumble against each other because we will be judged.

Grounds for joyful peace of mind:
Perseverance will have its reward. Remember Job?

Above all, do not swear. (Matter of the tongue again) State a matter plainly; do not in any way manipulate the truth. We must speak the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.