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CRIME DOES NOT PAY
MONDAY, DECEMBER 19
James 5:6

Psalm 94:21-23

 

“And he shall bring upon them

their own iniquity…”

 

CRIME DOES NOT PAY
 
In James 5:6, James exposes further the wickedness of the rich.
 
Against the sinless: The word “condemn” is a legal, technical term meaning to give judgment against, or to render against the accused a verdict of guilt. In other words, the “just” is judged to be definitely guilty and thus is subject to punishment. The decisions of the rich are tainted with abuse. They kill to deprive a person of life by illegal, intentional killing. The poor cannot oppose this hostility. Take note this was done against the just! These wicked rich persecute particularly those who genuinely believe in Jesus Christ. They condemn, and even kill, the poor who are just.
 
Against the helpless: James reaches the final progression in the downward spiral of the rich people’s wickedness. They unjustly hoard their money. They rob the wages of their poor labourers and spend it on their self-indulgent desires. Further, they condemn and even put to death the righteous. They are ready to do it to continue their lavish lifestyle. Romans 3:15-18 gives us the characteristics of the unsaved: “Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes.” The righteous do not resist nor oppose the hostilities of the wicked rich. They do not retaliate as the Lord has encouraged them in Romans 12:19: “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
 
Do not be like the wicked rich who condemn and kill. They soon will be charged and suffer eternal death under God’s judgment. Crime does not pay. There is an infinite punishment ahead (Mark 9:43-48)!
 
THOUGHT: Do I have the same attitude as the wicked rich?
PRAYER: Father, forgive my self-indulgences. May I always do Thy bidding.

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