Introductory Note on The Rich, Wealth and Money
The rich in our culture today are envied and/or despised. They are envied because they do not have the financial worries and are able to enjoy the comforts and amenities of life. They are despised for a number of reasons, regardless if they are factual: attaining their wealth by dishonest means; not paying their “fair share” of taxes; stingy and snobbish; unjust and oppressive. However, there have been many wealthy individuals who have been generous donors of humanitarian endeavors. Among others, J.D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie are two notable American philanthropists.
In the gospel accounts the rich are mainly characterized as individuals who possess financial wealth and an abundance of earthly possessions. The word is also used figuratively meaning rich in something or abounding—for example: ‘rich in mercy’ (Ephesians 2:4); ‘rich in faith’ (James 2:5). 1 The apostle Paul likewise uses the term figuratively in 2 Corinthians 8:9: that our Lord Jesus Christ “was rich” (being the Son of God) and “became poor” (in human form) so that we “might become rich” because of the salvation He provided by His death on the cross.
The Scriptures have much to say about money, but never does it declare that money itself is evil. It is like any other detail of life, of which believers must insure they do not become obsessed. The apostle Paul emphasizes the Biblical principle concerning money in 1 Timothy 6:10, that it is the love of money which is the “root of all sorts of evil” and that this inordinate love of money has caused some to “have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” The writer of Hebrews advises the believer:
Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
In order to rectify this Paul gives Timothy this directive:
Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed. (1 Timothy 6:17–19)
Note further, Paul’s fundamental teachings regarding the believer’s attitude towards the details of life—things that are on the earth:
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)
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Verses 1-2: Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten.
Come now as in 4:13, is an idiom meant to draw the attention of certain readers—here it is directed to those who are rich. Many commentators have debated whether this is directed to believers or unbelievers. Since James is writing to “my brethren” (1:2, 16, 19; 2:1, 5; 3:1, 10, etc.) it would appear that he is addressing those who are wealthy among his readers.
James exhibits a low opinion of the rich, reminding his readers that it is the rich “who oppress you and personally drag you into court” (2:6). And he declares that they will pass away even in the midst of their pursuits (1:10-11) and with this in mind the rich man needs “to glory in his humiliation.” Dr. Ryrie explains this:
Either by losing his money or by being brought through some circumstance in order to realize that money means little and is at best transitory.2
What is interesting about this verse is that James commands the rich to weep in a howling manner. James is forewarning them of the certainty of miseries about to come upon them, quite possibly because he believes that “the coming of the Lord is near (5:8-9).”
Rotted Riches
In verse 2, James is looking forward to their time of misery, that what riches they have (garments, gold, silver) will be in a rotted and moth-eaten condition. The Greek tense which James uses in describing the condition of their riches is graphically prophetic. Lenski explains that “these riches have always been rotting, turning moth-eaten, rusting [v.3], they were never in any other condition.”3 The fact is, this is the realistic and inescapable end of all earthly wealth.4 Jesus warned of this:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19)
James is emphasizing the same principle. That true riches are spiritual, yet eternal—a reminder of what he wrote in chapter 2, that our treasure is not to be dependent upon earthly riches. Instead, we should be like the ‘poor’, rich in faith—possessors of sound doctrine; and conduct ourselves as “heirs of the kingdom” (2:5) and not slaves to earthly riches.
[1] Zodhiates, S. (2000). In The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, G4145.
[2] Ryrie, C. C. (1995). Ryrie Study Bible: New American Standard Bible, 1995 update (Expanded ed.). Chicago: Moody Press, p. 1968, note.
[3] Lenski, R.C.H. (2001). Commentary on the New Testament, Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 10.646.
[4] Bauernfeind, O. (1964–). σής σητόβρωτος. In G. Kittel, G. W. Bromiley, & G. Friedrich (Eds.), Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (electronic ed.). Eerdmans, 7.277.
© 2023 David M. Rossi
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