James 5
We continue our study of Scripture, focusing particularly on the non-Pauline letters—the letters in the Bible not written by the Apostle Paul. Paul wrote about fourteen letters (includes Hebrews), but there are several others, eight of them, written by different authors, often called the non-Pauline epistles. In recent weeks, we have been studying the letters of Jude and James. Today, we come to the conclusion of the book of James, a letter that offers practical wisdom for Christian living. Many refer to it as the “Proverbs of the New Testament” because of its down-to-earth guidance and moral insight.
Throughout this book, James teaches us how to live out our faith through our actions. He reminds us that faith without works is dead. Our faith is not meant to be a static belief but a living, growing, dynamic faith that is shown through how we live, speak, and serve others. As James closes his letter, he turns our attention to the importance of compassion, patience, perseverance, and prayer—virtues that sustain our spiritual life.
As we move into the winter season, many of us notice how our skin begins to feel tight and dry. At first, I thought this was just a sign of getting older, but it turns out it’s not about age at all—it’s about hydration. We tend to apply lotion, oil, or Vaseline, thinking the issue is on the surface, but the real problem lies within. When the air gets cold and we turn on the heat in our homes, the moisture in our skin evaporates more quickly. What we truly need is to take in more water, to hydrate from the inside.
Our spiritual lives are much the same. When the cold seasons of life arrive—when faith feels frozen or stagnant—we must take in more of the Word of God. Just as our bodies need water, our souls need Scripture to stay nourished and alive. Without it, our spiritual life begins to dry out. James reminds us that spending time in the Word, reflecting, and praying restores our souls and keeps our faith healthy.
In chapter five, James concludes his letter by summarizing his earlier teachings—calling believers to care for one another, endure trials with faith, and live out love and prayer in daily life. He begins the chapter with sharp words directed at the rich, warning them not to misuse their wealth. He writes, “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.” These are harsh words, but James is addressing those who exploit others for gain, particularly those who use religion or power to become wealthy.
James is not condemning wealth itself. He is condemning greed, arrogance, and the misuse of riches. Money in itself is not evil—it’s a tool. But when wealth controls us, it corrupts our hearts. True Christian stewardship means recognizing that everything we have belongs to God. We are not owners; we are caretakers. We brought nothing into this world, and we will take nothing out of it. As someone once said, “You never see a U-Haul following a hearse.”
History gives us many examples. Alexander the Great, who conquered much of the known world, requested that his hands be left outside his coffin—open and empty—to show that he left this world with nothing. Similarly, archaeologists in Pompeii discovered the body of a woman clutching jewels in her hands as volcanic ash buried her alive. She held tightly to what she valued most, but it could not save her.
Jesus warned about the same folly in Luke 12, when He told the parable of the rich fool who built bigger barns to store his harvest, saying to himself, “You have plenty stored up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink, and be merry.” But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” The message is clear: we must be rich toward God, not just toward this world.
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, once said, “Gain all you can, save all you can, and give all you can.” The more we give, the more we grow in grace, and the greater our treasure in heaven. The greatest wealth is not what we keep—it’s what we give away.
I once heard a story of a woman whose home burned down. A week before the fire, she had given away many of her possessions as she prepared to downsize. After the fire, she realized that what she had given away still remained, but everything she had held onto was gone. What we give away for God’s glory lasts forever.
Paul also reminds us in 1 Timothy to instruct the rich not to be proud or to trust in their money, but to be rich in good works and generous to those in need. Our wealth should never define us. As one story goes, a proud Texas rancher told a visitor from New York that he could drive his truck from sunrise to sunset and still not reach the end of his property. The New Yorker paused and said, “I used to have a truck like that.” The point is clear: our perception of wealth often depends on pride, not on true value.
If you have love, family, friends, health, and a grateful heart, you already possess what money cannot buy.
James also speaks about patience in suffering, reminding us that faith endures even in dry seasons. Like a farmer who waits for early and late rains, we must trust in God’s timing. Patience is not passive; it’s active trust. When we are in dark times, we must not rush to change our course. That is when God is strengthening our faith.
He also urges us to speak with integrity—“Let your yes be yes and your no be no.” In every word and action, we are called to be honest and consistent, especially in difficult times. Waiting seasons are proving seasons; they reveal what’s truly in our hearts.
Finally, James closes his letter with a call to prayer and restoration. Prayer is not our last resort—it should be our first response. If we truly love someone, we pray for them. I once shared a prayer request online during a time when I was unemployed, and months later, a person from Vietnam whom I had never met reached out to ask if I had found a job. That’s the power of prayer—it connects believers across the world and strengthens the body of Christ.
James reminds us that if someone among us strays from the faith, our responsibility is not to judge but to restore. The Christian journey is not meant to be a solitary walk. We are called to help, forgive, pray for, and lift one another up.
Faith, patience, prayer, and compassion are the marks of a living faith. Like the farmer waiting for rain, we must wait for God’s time. Important things in life always take time—just as a mother must wait nine months to give birth, so too must we wait for God’s promises to unfold. In our faith, there are no shortcuts and no microwaved miracles.
Let us live out our faith actively—showing it not only in words but in deeds. Let us care for one another, pray for one another, and lift up those who fall. When we do, we become living witnesses of God’s grace.
May the Lord bless these words in our hearts as we go forth to live as faithful witnesses for His kingdom. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Comments
Post a Comment