Subscription Lists

In a context all its own, Solomon asked, “Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?” (Proverbs 6.26-27). Such rhetorical questions go back ages in time and literary usage. Our study of James 2 revealed three rhetorical questions (James 2.5-7) We are looking at these questions systematically and our focus today is on the second of these great attention getters.

“Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts?” (James 2.6). Everyone knew this to be the case! For almost as long as time has stood, men of means have been a major contributor to the woes of those who would live righteous lives before God. This does not mean that all rich men are opponents of that which is good, but it is consistent with the general rule that the rich as a class have consistently proved to be the nemesis of those who seek God’s will.

If one simply went back to the life of Christ and His earthly ministry, it was the rich who hounded Him and persecuted Him for city to city. He had no problem with the poor generally speaking. Consistently and habitually almost, however, He had problems with the rich. Is there a reason why this might be true? Consider this line of reasoning: Some rich people make their money honestly. Others, perhaps most of them, make their money through shady and/or crooked dealings. This portion of the rich wishes to protect what they have gained; those who deal honestly and honorably are a threat to their continued positions. For this reason, the rich typically oppose those who would seek to establish or restore honor to government, business, or the culture in general.

Likewise, when the apostles came on the scene after the ascension of Jesus, they were pursued by men of means, men who sought to silence the truth. It is a matter of history that the immediate persecutions that befell the church were championed by people who wanted to maintain their power (and hence riches). For this reason, Peter and John were imprisoned (Acts 4 -5). Stephen was stoned as a result of the actions of men in the upper echelon of Judaism. The gospel was for all, but not everyone believed.

Consider a specific example: Luke wrote, “This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, ‘These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.’ And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, ‘I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.’ And he came out that very hour. But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.” (Acts 16.17-19; emphasis mine, jb). Is it not interesting that the men who were profiting from this girl’s misfortune became angry when they saw the hope of their livelihood gone? It was not so much their opposition to truth from a philosophical reason as it was their greed that moved them against Paul and the others!

Such was James’ reminder to his brethren. “Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts?” Why would they take fire into their bosom and expect not to get burned? Why would they walk on coals without expecting their feet to be harmed? Yet, the believers curried favor with the rich only to see them turn against them when there was no more use for them! Common sense would have cried, “Stay away!” But, they were not listening; James reminded them of a truth that would save them untold suffering! (Continued).

Questions:

1. What is the context of Solomon’s questions in Proverbs 6.26-27)?

2. Did all rich people oppose the truth? What possible explanation can show why the rich (as a class) do not want the truth to be spoken openly?

3. Why were the men of Acts 16 upset at Paul? Where were their values?

4. What motive did James have in warning his brethren of the dangers to which they were exposing themselves by courting the rich?

"Word from Scotland" from Sandy Shaw

A Needy Man Calls Out for Help Jesus Responds and Answers