James 5:5, New International Version

“You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.”

James doesn’t pull any punches in chapter 5. His words are sharp and sobering, aimed directly at the rich who have placed their trust in their wealth rather than in the Lord. He warns that their riches are rotting, their garments are moth-eaten, and their gold and silver are corroding. The point is clear—worldly wealth will not last, and for those who have hoarded it selfishly while ignoring the needs of others, a day of judgment is coming. These are strong words, but they come from a heart that wants to see people turn back to what really matters.

The issue James confronts isn’t money itself, but the love of money and the unjust way it is sometimes acquired and held. He calls out those who gained their riches by oppressing workers, keeping back wages and living in luxury while others suffered. God sees all of it. Nothing is hidden from Him. In verse 4, James says that the cries of the laborers have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. That image should stir us deeply. God is not indifferent to injustice, and He hears the cries of the mistreated.

This passage is a reminder that everything we have is entrusted to us by God. Our possessions, our influence, our income, they’re not just for our comfort. They are meant to be used for His glory and to bless others. When we begin to build our security on what we have accumulated, we start to drift from the One who is our true Provider. And if we’re not careful, comfort can harden our hearts to the needs around us.

For followers of Christ, this is a call to live with open hands and soft hearts. Generosity should mark our lives, not greed. Compassion, not indifference. Integrity, not exploitation. In a world where wealth is often idolized, the believer is called to live differently trusting in the Lord and using what we’ve been given to care for others and further His kingdom.

So, as we read these verses in James, let’s not dismiss them as only being for “someone else.” Let’s examine our own hearts. Do we value people more than possessions? Are we stewarding what God has given us with humility and purpose? Let’s live in such a way that our treasure is in heaven, and our testimony reflects the generous heart of our Savior.

(All scripture quotations in this article are from the New International Version)