30—Forty Days with James: Rich Fools

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.James 5:1-6Last time: In "Wannabe Rich Fools," James speaks of entrepreneurs who fail to take God into account. This time: of actual rich fools who fail to take God into account.A prophetic woe!Their corrupt wealth will "testify" against them. That is, their unjust actions demand a verdict.The rich are hoarding grain, garments, gold.Last Days = time from Pentecost on, the last phase of human history before the second coming of the Lord.There was noalready in.It was not a promising system for the little guy! He loses out. The innocent poor not only didn’t oppose the fat cats; they couldn’t.Possible legal overtones: using the courts to their advantage. Who gets the better lawyer? Who’s better connected?Murder, too.ZealotsEmulated Phinehas and ElijahAlong with the Pharisees, the Zealots were the radicals.More on this in reflection 31 (next talk)And some Christians, directly or indirectlyLuxury = a standard that applies to most of us hearing this talk. Ours is unbelievably higher than that of the medieval kings and queens of Europe.Rich people: Slaughter – the fat cats will be slaughtered!Luke 16:19-31James doesn’t automatically condemn all rich Christians (ch 1). But these rich persons stand condemned.Next: "The Judge at the Door" excuse not to pay wages, as the harvest was