College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
James 2:1-13
CHAPTER IV
OVER-RATED RICHES
Introduction
The ability to accumulate riches, in the minds of many people, seems to qualify any man for any position. Even though the acquisition of riches usually goes with oppression of the poor, purchased political power, and arrogant flaunting of both the laws of God and man, it seems that riches enhance a man's prestige and popularity, whether in politics or in the church. This tendency to honor the rich often results in honoring principles that are contrary to the principles of God and completely opposing all Christian warfare. This tendency to give undue honor to a man just because he is rich becomes a temptation to the saint within the church; and if carried far enough, can completely stifle the church's growth and progress.
Although there is clearly nothing wrong with being rich, there may be plenty wrong with the method of becoming rich; and the riches themselves can become the most terrible curse to befall a man. It is against this arrogancy that tempts the rich that God speaks. It is against this method of oppression that makes a man rich that God speaks. It is against over-rating riches and thus underrating all spiritual values that God warns. It is the love of money that is the root of all kinds of evil, says the Lord; and this constitutes a form of idolatry as adulterous in God's sight as falling down before the dumb stone idols. Of all this the Christian must be constantly aware, lest his tendency to over-evaluate money and what money can buy completely blind him to the true riches from God. Treasures in heaven do not consist of things that decay, made with hands and purchased with money.
Special honor and over-recognition of the man who gives a fraction of one percent of his income to buy the church a new carpet often results in complete disdain to the man who gives of his life's service to keep that same rug clean, gives fifteen percent of his income to keep the lights burning over that rug on Sunday night, and gives his heart to Jesus Christ and his life in complete surrender. Over-honoring the man who purchased the rug may result in discouraging the sinful man whose feet should walk over that same rug to surrender his heart to Jesus. That rug may look very beautiful stretched down the expanse of the building's isle, but it may also cover a lot of filth and dirt underneath which should be swept out of the presence of the saints. Over-rating riches and the things that riches can buy is a sin, which is in competition with God Himself.
Outline
Special respect to the rich at the expense of the poor and needy is a temptation within the church; for both the rich and the poor are under the same condemnation for disobedience, and both need salvation by grace from the same Savior.
TEMPTATION IN THE CHURCH James 2:1-4.
WHY OVER-RATING RICHES IS A SIN James 2:5-9.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES James 2:10-13.
TWELVE SERMON TITLES WITH THREE-POINT OUTLINES
TEMPTATION IN THE CHURCH James 2:1-4
A.
Respect of PersonsGeneral teachings against prejudices.
B.
Causes of false respectriches, society, politics, skin color, race, physical beauty, etc.
C.
Judges with evil thoughtsplacing physical values above spiritual worth.
IN WHOM WE GLORY James 2:1
A.
Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.
B.
The sin of putting our glory elsewhere.
C.
Fading vs. never-fading glory.
PREJUDICE James 2:2-4
A.
Come from improper regards.
B.
Manifestations of prejudice.
C.
Overcoming prejudices.
EVIL-THINKING Judges 2:4
A.
The sin of arrogance in judging.
B.
Sinful motives in judging.
C.
Christ, the judge of us all.
THE CHOICE OF GOD James 2:5
A.
God chooses all, including the poor, the sinner, etc.
B.
God chooses those who love Him.
C.
We choose to be chosen of God.
HEIRS! James 2:5
A.
Heirs by promise.
B.
Heirs of the Kingdom.
C.
Heirs by choice (God's choice and our choice).
THE SIN OF OVER-RATING RICHES James 2:5-9
A.
God chooses those who love Him. (Riches are not involved).
B.
Men misuse riches. (Oppress the poor, dishonor Christ).
C.
The Royal Law demands that we love all alike.
DANGER OF RICHES James 2:6-7
A.
Oppression of the poor.
B.
Using influence of money for unjust purposes.
C.
Blaspheming the name of Christ.
SINNERS James 2:10-11
A.
What is sin. (The Law).
B.
Transgressing the whole law. (The Transgression).
C.
Guilty! (The Sentence).
FULFILLING THE ROYAL LAW James 2:8-9
A.
What it demands in relationship to our fellow man.
B.
The manner in which the royal law is broken.
C.
The real fulfillment in Christ Jesus.
THE TWO PRINCIPLES THAT RELATE US TO GOD James 2:10-13
A.
Justice.
B.
Mercy.
C.
The superiority of mercy over justice.
A LAW OF LIBERTY James 2:13
A.
Freedom from the law, is not absolute freedom.
B.
Free to love and be loved is not absolute freedom.
C.
Christ doth set us free.