The Daily Office: Thursday, 28th Week of Ordinary Time

I'm reposting an earlier meditation on this reading.

James 4:13-5:6
Morning Prayer

Do the words about the rich in today’s reading shock? They really shouldn’t. One out of every ten verses in the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) deals with the poor and issues of social justice. Jesus talks more about wealth and poverty than heaven and hell or sexual morality. Of course, James devotes even more attention to this subject, with five out of every ten verses devoted to the rich and poor.

The problem is not having much wealth, but a mindset in which having and being are the same. When we become our possessions, they dehumanize both the rich and poor. By withholding the workers’ wages, James argues, you have deprived that person of what the need to survive, and you have, in effect, murdered them, deprived them of life simply because they didn’t have enough to survive. On the other hand, those who have much wealth deceive themselves into thinking they also have much time to “go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit.” Time belongs to God. And to be so blinded by your pile of possessions that you can’t see your lack of control over your life is, in truth a living death of which nothing will be left when you die and all that remains of you are your “possessions.”

Does the church need pledges to pay for its ministry and expenses? Sure, but the main reason for giving something of the wealth given to you is to free yourself from the tyranny of possessions, which only fill your life with anxiety. Instead of seeking more and more “things,” look at the gifts that God has given you; yes your possessions, but also your talents and passion, that which excites you, that makes you want to get up every morning. Instead of asking how to make more money, ask yourself and God how you may make this world a better place. Then trust that whatever you need for that, God will provide.