Ouch

Immediately after the scripture reading in church yesterday, someone put in the chat, “Ouch.” Yes, “ouch” is right - what a challenging passage. Make sure you’re sitting down when you read this one!

Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. - James 5:1-3

While it would be convenient to think James wasn’t writing to us Christians, it’s so clear that he is. And to be part of America in the 21st century means that you and I are amongst the richest people who have lived on the earth throughout all time. Ouch.

One of the gifts that Sally Steele gave us yesterday in her sermon were the simple, clear definitions. She defined hoarding this way:

hoarding = to store money or valued objects, typically in secret or carefully guarded

Today, just let this scripture and this definition sink in. Resist both self-protection and self-condemnation. Be present to God now and be mindful of all types of wealth that you have - financial, relational, occupational, communal, etc. What it is about that wealth and that word hoarding that the Spirit wants to speak with you about today?