Challenge Of Arrogance And Wealth
Jas. 5:1-6

Introduction:
A. Compared to most of the world we are indeed blessed.  In 
   fact, compared to most people who live now and who have 
   lived in the past, we are very rich.  Now there is nothing 
   wrong with that in and of itself.  But the Bible does speak
   of the difficulty of the rich being saved (Matt 19:23-26).
B. Chapter 4 of James warns against the spirit that manifests 
   itself as the enemy of God: materialism.  The closing 
   verses note that our attitude toward material possessions 
   is a result of not stopping to consider the nature of life, 
   especially the future.
C. The first six verses of chapter 5 continue on the subject 
   of materialism and it's corrupting influence.

I. Example Of Those Who Have Wealth
   A. Rich Young Ruler - Matt 19:16-22
      1. Apparently placed more importance on wealth and 
         status
      2. Was not willing to give up riches
   B. Rich Man - Lk 16:15-31
      1. Apparently was satisfied with life as it was
      2. Placed trust in wealth
   C. Zacchaeus - Lk 19:1-10
      1. Probably got money by illegal means
      2. Was willing to correct past injustice

II. Sins Of The Rich
   A. Kept back wages - V. 4
      1. Condemned - Lev 19:13; Jer 22:13
      2. Even in New Testament - Col 4:1; Matt 10:10
   B. Lived delicately on the earth- V. 5
      1. Lived an opulent lifestyle - Eccl. 2:1-10
      2. Happy come from within, not external wealth - 
         Lk 12:15-21
   C. Taken Pleasure - V. 5
      1. Consuming in extravagant fashion the blessings of God
      2. Those who live for pleasure alone soon lose ability 
         to live for anything else
      3. Jesus warned of this - Lk 21:34-35
   D. Nourished your hearts in the day of slaughter - V. 5
      1. Accumulating large amounts of worldly goods
      2. Amos 6:1-6
      3. 2 Cor 5:10
   E. Condemned & Killed the just - V. 5
      1. Able to influence justice because of their position -
         Jer 22:17; Psa 94:21
      2. Jas 1:13-15
      3. Just is representative of class in contrast to wicked
         - Isa 3:10
		
III. Attitude Of The Christian
   A. Life of Faith - 2 Cor 5:7
      1. Consider Paul's manner - Gal 2:20
      2. Faith based on God's word - Rom 10:17
   B. Life of humility - Phil 2:1-4; Lk 6:20; Isa 66:1-3
      1. Will obey God - Acts 20:19
      2. Will serve others - Rom 12:16; 1 Pet 5:5
   C. Humble service means use wealth wisely
      1. Liberal contribution to the Lord - 1 Cor 16:1-2; 
         2 Cor 9:7
      2. To pay taxes - Rom 13:7; Matt 22:17-21
      3. Provide for family - 1 Tim 5:8, 16
      4. To maintain good works - Matt 6:19-20
         a. Do good to all men - Gal 6:10
         b. Give to him who has need - Eph 4:28
         c. Visit fatherless and widows - Jas 1:27
         d. Compassionate toward brother in need -1 Jn 3:17-18
         e. Compassion on any in need - Lk 10:30-36

Conclusion:
A. Wealth is not in and of itself wrong.  The problem is that 
   most of the time wealth causes us to forget God and place 
   our trust in our earthly possessions.  The Christian should
   be concerned with what the word of God has to say on the 
   subject and see that his attitude is in harmony with the 
   mind of God.
B. We need to ask ourselves constantly; Are we laying up 
   treasures in heaven or on earth?  Those who lay up 
   treasures in heaven are those who use their wealth to
   do good and help the poor and less fortunate. Those
   who lay up treasure on earth are actually storing up
   for themselves wrath and misery.
C. Phil 4:8-13