I’ve heard stories of people infected with flesh-eating bacteria, a rare infection that destroys skin, muscle and fat tissues. I’ve known many who deal with cancer of some type, much more common but no less deadly. People suffered from cancer in ancient times as well, but without our modern treatments. In medieval times some folks referred to cancer as the wolf due to its aggressive and destructive nature.

Perhaps this type of disease is what James had in mind when he blasted those who got rich off the backs of others: Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire.

These wealthy individuals amassed their fortunes by cheating those in their employee: 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.

A business owner who provides jobs with good wages and solid benefits blesses the community. Families flourish and towns develop into wonderful places to live. Such a man or woman earns the wealth they accumulate, and turns around and invests even more in their church and neighborhood. Good employers benefit us all.

James, however, went after those who accumulated wealth by defrauding and cheating others. They withheld pay after others harvested their fields, ensuring fathers walked home penniless and children went to bed hungry. It’s not clear why these rich landowners got away with their crimes, but they won’t escape judgement. Their ill-gotten riches will consume them like flesh-eating bacteria.

There’s something both hopeful and sobering in knowing that the cries of the mistreated reach the ears of the Lord. It reminds me to gratefully pay a generous wage to those who take on jobs for me, and gives me hope that in the end, despite the unfairness of our world, God eventually sets all things right.

James 5:1-6

Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh