Unequal resources

James 5 : 1 - 6

....lived in luxury and self-indulgence...

James speaks to the wealthy who have gained their riches at the expense of others who are deprived of even basic needs. This is a hard message for comfortable middle and upper middle class Christians! It is hard for me to hear. Of course we often rationalize by saying that we have not treated others unfairly - have not kept wages from those who serve us...........and of course we tithe regularly. So, we can't be among the 'wealthy oppressors' James addresses (phew!)

But the news everyday confronts us with the distress of millions who go without even basic needs. There is no general answer to this. Can we all "live more simply so that others may simply live"? Sure, we should. But to what extent cannot be prescribed for others, and even James does not do so. It is something between each one and God, as He convicts and strengthens us to do so.

I personally struggle a lot with this. It is not as James points out, only in terms of clothes and luxurious lifestyle. I see this in the health sector. People who can pay will be able to afford all sorts of tests and get a prompt diagnosis of serious illness, which can then be treated more effectively. The 'foreigners' I see would not be able to afford such tests, first of all, and so their illnesses remain untreated for longer.

Those of us who can afford, and I am one of them - eat 'organic' vegetables, which cost more.....for 'health' reasons. As food prices increase worldwide, there will be millions who starve for lack of basic food.

This does not mean that we should respond according to guilty feelings. That would not be the true motivation for any lasting change. It is the more positive power of compassion that should motivate. However, all these thoughts should keep us humble in the knowledge that the 'haves' hold much 'power' over the 'have nots'. How are we going to use that 'power' as good stewards? It keeps us humble, because God will judge one day.