James 5:4-5
Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.
We owe it to our fellow man to be aware. I may not know when my inaction is causing someone else pain. However, if I am more aware of the circumstances of others, I am more in a position to help. In this passage, James admonishes the wealthy landowners who take advantage of their workers. They were in a position of power, and they exploited their power, knowing they were safe to do so. I didn’t see this passage directly speaking to me, but if I really think about it, it does. We are always in a position to care for those who have less than we do. On this most basic level, the message is universal.
Holy Lord, again I am asking for you to open my eyes that I may see ways to help those who have less than I have. Help me to show your love to others. May I see opportunities today. Amen
Becky, transforming
James 5:4-5
I can remember as a child complaining about something I considered to be unfair. If Mom agreed, she would say “God will punish them.” While I understood what she meant, I felt that this didn’t help those who had been unfairly treated. Also, that kind of judgment might be many years away. Yet, here was James basically saying the same thing. Hopefully, the lesson here is to never be unfair in our dealings with others, so we won’t have to worry about God’s judgment. The workers in James’ story haven’t been paid and although there will be punishment, the workers are still without their wages. This is a difficult story.
Prayer: Gracious God, help me teach others thi…
James 5:4-5
The way wages are handled for the untold numbers of itinerant farm workers in this very country at this very time is mirrored in some ways by this first century admonition from James. Has the world learned nothing from God? Is a more just society beyond the grasp of fallen humans who gain power and authority only to abuse it? Explicit in this passage is the fact these injustices are not hidden from God and come the final judgment, it will not end well for those who exploit their fellow human beings. I must strive to do my part, however small, to be fair and just in my dealings with all.
Prayer - Merciful God, forgive us for…
Monday, October 28th, 2024
James 5:4-5
Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter
At the age of 56, Steve Jobs died a billionaire. There was no u-haul at his final service.
The following is thought to be the essay Jobs wrote in his last days. While its authenticity might be disputed, his deeply felt thoughts cannot be.
I reached the pinnacle of success in the business world. In others’ eyes,…