Listen to Their Complaints

Listen to Their Complaints

James 5: And now, you rich people, listen to me! Weep and wail over the miseries that are coming upon you! ² Your riches have rotted away, and your clothes have been eaten by moths. ³ Your gold and silver are covered with rust, and this rust will be a witness against you and will eat up your flesh like fire. You have piled up riches in these last days. ⁴ You have not paid any wages to those who work in your fields. Listen to their complaints! The cries of those who gather in your crops have reached the ears of God, the Lord Almighty. ⁵ Your life here on earth has been full of luxury and pleasure. You have made yourselves fat for the day of slaughter. ⁶ You have condemned and murdered innocent people, and they do not resist you.

 

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Something wasn’t right with the advice from one of the leaders. “Maybe we can get some free labor” was the statement that was given to me as if to say, keep going with the terrible negotiation.

 

• I was put in a bad spot of having to negotiate something that was not fair.
• I was working with a group who did not mind using people unfairly.
• I was part of problem, because that was my job.

 

James gives a stern warning to the rich. He is really descriptive of the rich and paints a picture of them in a not so good way. He says misery is coming to the rich, but then he provides a solution. “Listen.”

 

My Observations:

• GOD wants me to listen to those who work for me and to pay them their wages.
• GOS does not like when people are being taken advantage of, so HE will repay.
• GOD hears the cry of those who are being used and abused and is storing up HIS anger against anyone who caused their anguish.

 

Yes GOD is forgiving, but HE seems to have a soft spot for those who are in need. Unfortunately, there have been those who have misused other humans for their own personal gain. HE hears the cries of those who are used and abused and withholds HIS anger. This is a very scary thing.

 

I mean, instead of squashing the abusers like a bug, GOD allows the misuse to occur. HE did the same for JESUS. The church people abused and murdered HIM. GOD allowed this and JESUS was raised from the dead. One day HE will return and all will have to give an account for how we treated people. I am glad GOD forgives and gives me a way back to HIM, namely, listen.

 

Challenge

• What is the warning from the writer?
• Have you ever wanted to be rich so badly that you would consider harming someone, even in the smallest way?
• Will you listen to the complaints of those who are being abused and turn to GOD for HIS answer today?