Doers of the Word: Resist Materialism

If money talks, all it ever says to me is “Goodbye!” If you have teenagers, you know what I mean. Poverty is hereditary; you get it from your children.
 
Jesus understood our ongoing battle with materialism. He spoke very strong words in Luke 12:15. “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” How different are these words from those of the modern mantra, “He who dies with the most toys wins.”
 
In today’s passage, James the pastor becomes James the prophet. He paints a vivid picture of impending judgment upon the oppressive rich. By such means he calls each of us to evaluate our attitudes toward possessions.
 
•    He calls out the rich, v. 1.
•    He condemns the rich, vv. 2-3.
•    He charges the rich, vv. 4-6.
 
What is your attitude toward wealth? Do you need “just a little bit more” to make you happy?