It is so good to be here; thank you for being with us. We look forward to another powerful and practical lesson in James. Today, we begin James 5, titled “Payday is coming.” The lesson teaches us to think long-term and realize that this life is not all there is. Most of us know what payday is, but have you considered a “payday” for your life?
“Who could do that?” you ask. Well, it would have to be someone who knows everything you have ever done and understands all the reasons behind your actions. God is the only one able to do this, and we know he will get it right. As Abraham said, “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” Since God knows everything, it won’t be difficult for Him to be fair and give everyone the “payday” we deserve.
Paydays are coming, but think about what this means in the long term, not just weekly or monthly. J Mark is here to share the rest of today’s lesson, so let’s go with him to James 5.
Payday! The word has a welcome sound. Most likely, every worker in every culture and country worldwide knows that word in their native language. The toil, the sweat, and the exercise of brawn or brains finally produce a reward. Now, you and I can provide for our needs and the needs of our families. Our labor has been rewarded, the necessities of life can be bought or bartered, and physical life will be sustained.
Just for a moment, suppose you worked all week at your job, and at the end of the week, you DID NOT receive the paycheck you were promised. How would you feel? At the very least, you would feel cheated, all that labor and no reward.
Interestingly, many who rise in indignation at withholding a person’s wages somehow think they can live their entire lives in self-gratification and not expect a proportionate reward. In today’s study, we want to examine such a group.
Our text today is James 5:1-6. In this passage of Scripture, James speaks about a group of people with the problem I mentioned a moment ago. Because of their position in life and they’re accustomed to having their way, they are blissfully ignorant of the payday approaching. It will come on them unexpectedly.
Again, our text is James 5:1-6.
1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you!
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten.
3 Your gold and silver are corroded; their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last few days.
4 Indeed, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.
5 You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you havefattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter.
6 You have condemned; you have murdered the just; he does not resist you.
James reveals the promised WAGES that will come to unjust employers.
The First Part of the Promised Wages
Your Wealth Becomes a Curse
James begins chapter five with his words in 4:13, “Go to now.” As I said last time, the modern equivalent would be to say something like, “Oh, come on,” or “Now wait a minute.” Both times are in a context where the result is different than expected.
According to verse four, the wealthy men (employers) are told to weep and howl because misery is about to overtake them. Here are men accustomed to a life of ease,...
