Money is not something most pastors like to talk about. However, James is addressing something that is very practical in the lives of believers. Money is something we all desire, but it can also be so dangerous. So James gives some very strong warnings about the dangers. In this sermon, Pastor Kyle examines these dangers and then shows what we should do instead.
You cannot serve both God and money, so you must choose which one will take priority.
Sermon Clip
Full Service
MESSAGE Notes
James 5:1-6 – The Danger of Wealth
Pastor Kyle Lewis
James 5:1 – Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.
- The Bible does not speak against making money, it speaks against loving money.
- 1 Timothy 6:10 – For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith…
- Hebrews 13:5 – Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have,
- Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
James 5:2-3 – 2 Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days.
- Money tempts us to accumulate possessions instead of investing in kingdom causes.
- Matthew 6:19-21 – 19 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
James 5:4-6 – 4 Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. 5 You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.
- Money tempts us to commit others sins so we can gain more of it.
“Surely never me!”
- What about at work?
- What about in your taxes?
Instead…
- Are you generous with your money?
- Do you invest in heavenly (or kingdom) causes?
Island Pond Baptist Church is an SBC church in Hampstead, NH, just seconds from Derry, NH. We also have many people at our church from surrounding cities such as Chester, Sandown, Danville, Kingston, Fremont, Plaistow, Atkinson, Derry, Londonderry, Salem, and Haverhill. If you live in Southern New Hampshire, we would love for you to come and visit!