It is inevitable. Regardless of gender, race or age, we all face the challenges of life relating to money. Money itself is not bad. It is how the world engages in supply and demand. How economy works and unfortunately how the heart is attacked.

Whether you have money, need money or don’t care about money, it impacts your life. Whether it is something you need, want or what others are asking you for. As things break, wear out or go out of style, the need for money just seems unending.  Today we take a closer look at money, live and true wisdom.

¹ Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. ² Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. ³ 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. ⁴ 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. ⁵ You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. ⁶ You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you. – James 5:1-6 NIV

Well that is pretty harsh, and we can shy away from the whole section and believe that the words are for someone else, that it does not pertain to us. Well, before we dismiss the scriptures, let us see what we might learn and heed warning of.  Let’s discuss the following points.

• What is the matter with being rich? Is there anything wrong with being rich?
• Why would a rich person be subject to miseries? Don’t rich people typically have less miseries than average?
• What insights can we get from verses 2 and 3. wealth rotted, moth eaten clothes, gold and silver corroded?  In it all, what does it impact?  Have you ever experienced the corrosion of your flesh in this manner? How will this be our witness?
• How did the rich person treat their workers?  What does the Bible say about how “rich people”, such as employers, should treat those under them?
• Besides mistreating their workers, what other crimes does this group of rich people commit?
• What is the problem with living a luxurious life?

There are a couple of insightful passages we can apply to our challenges today.

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸ But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. ⁹ Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. – 2 Timothy 6:6-10 NIV

¹ Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ² “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— ³ “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

⁴ Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

⁵ Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. ⁶ Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. ⁷ Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, ⁸ because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.

⁹ And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him. – Ephesians 6:1-9 NIV