In the modern globalised world, the moral issues surrounding wealth and poverty tend to get somewhat clouded. The effects of our choices are less evident because the chain of consequences is much longer. Between the rich western consumer and the underpaid worker who makes the clothes we wear and the toys we play with there are so many ‘middle men’, and so much distance. It is easier, therefore, for us to absolve ourselves of responsibility. But the global market is still consumer driven. We who have the buying power are the ones who dictate the situation. In this world, money is power and we in the prosperous west are powerful indeed because of the strength of our currency and the sheer abundance of wealth we have. Being rich can be a blessing or a curse depending on how you use it. James addresses a rich audience for whom wealth had become something of a curse. They were greedy and self-indulgent, and they didn’t care about the consequences of their greed. If you are feeling uncomfortably like these people, you have the opportunity to respond in a way that will put you on a better road. Let yourself recognise the problem, not so that you can wallow in guilt but so that you can begin to take responsibility. Begin to care more. Educate yourself about poverty and injustice. But most of all, attend to your own life. Learn to live more simply. Be generous to the point where you have to cut out some luxuries to make way for your generosity. That’s a good start.
Reflect on these things and ask God to lead you to a more content life.
Read James 5:1-6
