James' Warning (Rich People Suck)

From James 5 (NLT):

1 Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. ²Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. ³ Your gold and silver have become worthless. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This treasure you have accumulated will stand as evidence against you on the day of judgment. ⁴ For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The wages you held back cry out against you. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. ⁵ You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter. ⁶ You have condemned and killed innocent people, who do not resist you.

James is just laying into rich people here, and at first read, I'm saying, "Yeah, get 'em, James!" ... And then I realize, "Oh...that's me." 

It's confession time, "andddddd go!" (said in my best Sam Crum voice)

I've never been a wealthy field owner, but I sure have squandered money away selfishly and stolen money God gave me to use for His purposes. I have spent my years on earth in virtual luxury, satisfying (nearly) all my desires. I'm selfish, selfish, selfish. I don't always realize this because I think to myself, "I worked for this money, so this money is mine." What I forget is that anything I get is simply what God is letting me borrow so that I can help others. I'm supposed to just be the money manager, keeping in mind what the Boss would want me to do with the money. Does a boss like for his managers to spend company money on themselves? Nope. I have to learn to keep this in mind when I am spending paychecks. 

When I think about money, all I see is TENSION. Do I have to provide shelter and food for myself and family? Yep, otherwise I would die. But when does providing food and shelter drift into the territory of selfishness? How much is too much? Do I need the biggest and nicest house? Do I need to eat filet mignon? Money scares me because I trust it too much. It very easily becomes a god to me. I trust it completely, and I'm scared when I don't have it. I haven't ever had a lot of money, but I sure love to hold onto what I have. 

I just have to remember that it's not my money. 

Have I killed innocent people with a weapon in hand? No. But I have bought a dress instead of supporting a missionary. I have spent embarrassing amounts of money on restaurant food out of laziness and selfishness instead of trying to get out of debt so I can honor God in the way I manage His money. I have gone to the movies instead of helping out people that could use my help financially. I have bought expensive makeup just because I'm vain instead of being hospitable. So, really, my selfishness may have caused someone to not have food or medical attention that my money could have provided, had I stopped and thought about what's really important. 

Help me, River. Help me learn to treat the money I am entrusted with wisely. Help me make godly choices with what I have. God, rescue me from myself.