James 5:1-6

James tells the rich to listen, but he wants the poor to hear. He wants the poor, the ones who the rich are cheating, to know that God hears their cries. He tells them this because it is not obvious, they do not see God riding to the rescue. Their rulers are not protecting them from the ones who are cheating them. Their courts side with the rich and they do not receive fair judgment. They do not see the hand of God meting out punishment upon the wicked. James wants them to know that God hears and there is a day of judgment coming. James does not want Christians seeking revenge against the rich.

James wants the Christian who is poor to consider what has real value. You can only wear one suit of clothes at a time. The saints of God are clothed in righteousness. The clothing of the rich is temporary, and with time, it will rot and decay. In the light of eternity, gold becomes paving material; it is something Christians will be walking on. James does not want Christians envying the rich.

If the wicked truly understood what the future held, they would be weeping and wailing in fear. They are storing up death and damnation. Instead, in their ignorance they continue to hoard their wealth and commit their wicked deeds. Just as an animal approaching its day of slaughter, continues to eat and fatten itself, so the wicked continue to amass their ill-gotten gains. James does not want the Christians to hear this and gloat; he wants them to experience pity and mercy.

It is not easy to love those who persecute you. It is not easy to forgive those who have cheated you. In reality, it is very difficult to be Christlike and love those who have done you wrong. The call to righteousness is not a call to do what is easy. Righteousness is a call to do what is right. It is right for Christians to forgive the wicked.