Discussion Questions
Read James 5:1-3 and then restate it in your own words.
Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. Your gold and silver are corroded. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This corroded treasure you have hoarded will testify against you on the day of judgment. —James 5:1-3
If you’re with others, have everyone restate it and add to the previous if they got something different.
Main Points
-James is talking to people who have enough and aren’t satisfied with what they have.
-He cautions us not to count on, put our trust in wealth or things, because they, like our life, are like fog, here today and gone tomorrow.
-In some way, the things we store up like treasure will testify against us in the end. It’s as if we should have known better what to do with our wealth and we didn’t do it.
This begins where chapter 4 left off - James 4:17 Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
Questions for application
-What did James not say that he implied the readers knew and ignored? In other words, what does the scripture teach us should be our attitude toward wealth and the purpose for it? (Answers from Scripture in passages below)
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 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. 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. —1 Timothy 6:6-10
-There is something powerful about contentment
Questions for Application
-What does the love of money look like? How does it hinder contentment?
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” —Matthew 6:19-21
-It’s foolish to put our hope and trust in or tie our happiness to wealth or what we have.
-Our hearts follow our treasure. What do you put most value in, your relationships (people) or things?
-Adjust your treasure and your heart will follow.
Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle. —Proverbs 23:4-5
-Wealth and life are fleeting. They both will pass faster than you realize.
-You can lose the more valuable chasing that which is less valuable.
Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. Do not hold back the wages of a hired worker overnight. —Leviticus 19:13
-Scripture teaches that people are more valuable than things.
Read James 5:4-6 and then restate it in your own words.
Listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter. You have condemned and killed innocent people, who do not resist you. —James 5:4-6
If you’re with others, have everyone restate it and add to the previous if they got something different.
Main Points
-James is talking to people who have enough and aren’t satisfied with what they have.
-The decisions we make around money and things can directly or indirectly affect others.
Questions for application
-How might our decisions regarding stuff and money negatively affect others.
-What changes might we need to make in order to live contented lives and be gracious towards the needs of others?