Oh Friends, I found an interesting fact in the newspaper today, actually Friday’s paper; it’s the supposed derivation of our popular word ‘tragedy.’ They claim that this is the anniversary of both Shakespeare’s birth and death, thus it’s appropriate to look at the word he made famous through his plays. And apparently it’s derived from two Greek words, ‘oide’ meaning song and ‘tragos’ meaning goat. So in other words, tragedy was a goat song, though no one seems to know why it was called that. Somebody snidely suggests that maybe goats were given as prizes at drama festivals in ancient Greece. Hn, hn! But whatever the word’s origin, it has come to play a major part in our vocabulary, and is an apt description of what will eventually happen to the rich, ungodly, oppressive men of this earth. James certainly doesn’t mince words in his warning: ‘Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.’ He was addressing the wealthy, unsaved Jews who had poor Jews working for them in disgusting conditions, for miserly, unfair wages. Oh Friends, how I wish our world’s wealthy would see and pay close attention to that statement. Why? Because unfortunately nothing much has changed in today’s world. The wealthy, both Jews and Gentiles are still ill-treating the less fortunate, keeping them totally subservient by means of unhealthy, unsanitary, unsatisfactory working conditions and beggarly wages, way below the true worth of their work. And if you complain, they fire you, instilling an element of fear in the remaining workers. James though is warning them that they will pay for their harsh, greedy, unjust deeds towards their fellow man. God’s judgement will be meted out to them in no uncertain terms. For as he continues: ‘Your riches are corrupted (have rotted), and your garments are moth eaten. Your gold and silver is cankered (corroded); and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.’ (James 5:2-3) They have amassed wealth for their retirement, but sadly, it’s that same wealth the Lord will use against them. Jesus also spoke clearly several times on the topic. In the parable of the rich fool: ‘So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.’ (Luke 12:21) Then in the Beatitudes, He declares: ’But woe unto you that are rich! For ye have received your consolation.’ (Luke 6:24) They have already received their reward down here on earth. The next move is ‘sufferation’ to pay for their misdeeds. And He clarifies it all in the story of the rich man and Lazarus, where the rich man in hell is pleading with Abraham: ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.’ Luke 16:24-25) Yes Friends, that’s the reward of the wicked rich. And James spells it out even more for them. ‘Behold the hire (wages) of the labourers who have reaped (mowed) down your fields, which is of you (have) kept back by fraud, crieth (cry out): and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth (of Hosts, of Armies)’ (James 5:4-5) He’s talking here about the all powerful character of our God who sees and hears the injustice and will repay it in His time and manner. ‘Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton (indulgent); ye have nourished (fattened) your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.’ (James 5:5-6) That hasn’t changed in today’s world either my Friends. If possible, it’s gotten worse. But don’t worry, the Lord will repay them for all their evil deeds and worldly lusts when He is good and ready. So let them have their fun now, thinking that they’re so strong and mighty that nothing can touch or harm them. But Friends, they haven’t encountered the Lord God Almighty as yet. When they do, it will be an entirely different story; just like Jesus described in the tale of Abraham and Lazarus, that’s worthy of continuation here. Abraham informs him of the great gulf between them so nobody can pass from one side to the other. ‘Then he said, I pray thee therefore father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.’ (Luke 16:27-31) And isn’t that the living truth Friends! They had Moses and the prophets, yet they listened not. Then Jesus came and rose from the dead, yet they’re still not listening. So what’s a man to do? Believers are to keep on trying, leading by example, sharing the word, upholding truth and justice, all in the name of Jesus. But listening and believing is the individual’s choice, and if they choose to put their faith in the things of the world, there’s not much we can do. Once we have sincerely tried, and our hearts are right, the Lord will understand. But we’ve got to keep on trying. Much LOVE!…remember…he who doesn’t hear…shall surely feel…
SCRIP-BITS 