NOTES for Jam 5:1-6

And this too is about us... We so want to say: how could this possibly have anything to do with me? I have hardly ever seen any money, and what I have, can that really be called money? Is it wealth?

And yet this is about us. James is not saying that the mere possession of money seriously hinders a relationship with God. He is speaking about what happens when a person relies on wealth and regards it as his support. Then, for the sake of that wealth, he forgets God and robs his neighbors... And when wealth is treated in this way, it rusts. But can gold really rust? That is precisely the point. Each of us has riches that can rust and perish if we place our hope in them, rely on them alone, think about them more than about our neighbors and God, and love them more than the Lord... What are these riches? For one person, they are his gifts and abilities; for another, his time; for another, his freedom. In short, such riches are what we cannot give up right now. And now, honestly, let us remember what such wealth is for us and read the passage once more.