GOD KNOWS EVERY LITTLE SIN. ALL HURT, BUT SOME SINS CAUSE CRIES THAT REACH ALL THE WAY TO HEAVEN

1. James had deep moral convictions, no use to profess Christ without a life to back it up.
2. Like Amos, he draws images from nature to sting and rebuke against social sins of his age
3. Much of what James said has political reference today- not social gospel, but a gospel that changes a person's social life against deep moral sins- that cause cries to heaven 

I.- THE POVERTY OF THE RICH James 5:1-4

James was addressing those who were within the church- 1:9,10 both the poor and the rich

A.- JAMES SPOKE A PLAIN WARNING TO THOSE WHO WERE RICH IN THIS WORLD'S GOODS, - V.1

1. Throughout Bible wealth is not evil- many rich men did well; but riches has its own temptation
2. I Tim 6:9,10 Paul warns "They that will be rich" & "Love of money is root of all evil" fit (illegible)
3. James warns the wealthy-"weep and howl" -there are miseries that go along with wealth-

B.- UNLESS MEN CHOOSE RIGHT, THEY WILL SUFFER THE LOSS OF THEIR GREATEST TREASURE, v. 2;3

1. You can hear the echo of the words of Jesus- Matt 6:19-21- watch what you count as treasure
2. Some riches are cancerous-(Cigarettes)- others rust-(slow fire) or burn, & waste witnesses against (illegible)
3. Wealth can be a wing- or millstone -How do you use yours? (Illus-gold ship wrecked, many die)

C.- A PERSON'S ILL GOTTEN WEALTH CAN BE CALLED TO WITNESS AGAINST THEM BEFORE GOD - 3b, 4b

1. Amos 5:21- God refused false sacrifices- they stank to heaven- & 5b - cries reached the Lord
2. Practical illus- they held back wages- exploited the workers by fraud! scheming sins- (illegible)
3. The OT had many laws re: wages, loans, security, - & grasping earthly treasures-missed heaven

James said "Lord of Hosts" could hear the cries of suffering- He is Lord with Judging army!

II.- THE POISONS OF THE RICH James 5:5,6

Maybe one of God's judgements is that worldly wealth opens the door to death-dealing sins -

A.- JAMES ACCUSED THE WEALTHY OF LIVING IN PLEASURE ON EARTH, & WEALTH IS TEMPTED WITH PLEASURE- 5a

1. This word "Pleasure" - is effeminate- the perfume and lace of the indulgent rich -soft garments
2. The wantonness- pictures drunkenness- Scotch & Champagne for rich- or cheap wine for poor!
3. Wheat for Whiskey could feed world's hungry children- & Worker's money could buy shoes!-Exploitation

B.- JAMES ACCUSED THEM OF NOURISHING THEIR HEARTS FOR THE SLAUGHTER, - FATTENED LIKE PIGS-5b

1. The Passion and gluttony of fine foods-great! but what of sharing? eat up the poor too?
2. To eat fine foods & forget to Tithe? - or gamble to get rich while children go hungry?-
3. Penalty for "Fat Cat" or "Fat Pig" - slaughter! & history OT, NT -full, & Christians die too!

When Christians allow social sins in their land- they suffer with the worst sinner!

C.- JAMES ACCUSED THE RICH OF CONDEMNING AND KILLING THE JUST - v.6 -  DID GOD NOT PROTECT THEM?

1. The captivity of the NT worker kept him from escaping, many were oppressed to the death -
2. When God sent judgement- whether war or famine when the land suffered, so did Christians
3. But the Rich precipitated the war- or famine-depression, inflation- God blamed them for it!

III.- THE RIGHT ATTITUDE OF THE SAVED 5:7-9

James wrote because of the unsatisfactory attitude within the church causing deep sins

A.- THE CHRISTIANS WERE NOT HELPING THE SITUATION ANY,-v.9 Are you part-solution or problem?

1. They missed the blessing in trials- 1:2 because they failed to pray- wrong attitude! v.5
2. They showed partiality to the rich- 2:1, and some today are reverse snobs! sympathy glutton
3. They imagined Salvation would suffice- 2:14-16, while James demanded a changed life - love

B.- TODAY'S SET OF PROBLEMS SHOW BOTH SIDES OF THIS COIN- AND LABORING MAN HAS SOME PET SINS TOO

1. Today's worker is RICH & a KING when compared with the indentured slave (white) in James age
2. Often it is our wealthy worker that has grabbed "rich men's sins" & our nation is dying of (illegible)
3. Any person who exploits others for his pleasure will be judged whether children or boss!

The only way a man can have more for himself is to produce more for others -all jobs, (illegible)

C.- BUT CHRIST ALONE CAN CHANGE THE HUMAN HEART, WITH A SAVED SOUL AND A CHANGED LIFE - Eph.6:5-10

1. A Christian business man (boss) will lead his workforce to spiritual & physical wealth -
2. A Christian tradesman -(worker) will work to produce more & better so everyone can prosper
3. But whether boss or worker -any $$ you use for sin is costing you and others real hurt!

Some were closer to God during the depression - what of you? can you stand wealth?

THE LORD IS COMING, AND WHETHER IT IS YOUR SLAUGHTER OR YOUR SALVATION DEPENDS UPON YOU!

1. James warns with farmer's illustration- be patient for precious fruit- but have you faith?
2. If you have planted real faith- whether through fire or rapture- Lord has a reward for you
3. But if you have planted the sins of the rich- His Hosts will come to Judge!