James 5:4-6 — Selfish goes beyond self : 0

 READ THIS: James 5:4-6

4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.

 
WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

Sometimes we don't realize that when we are selfish that actually affects people around us. The first few verses of this chapter showed that it can be easy to get caught up caring only about ourselves and what we have. Looking at just verses 1-3, we can think, "Oh shoot, that guy who only cares about money is messing himself up, but, hey, at least he isn't hurting other people." But, when we only care about money, or popularity, or clothes, or sports, we end up not caring so much about others, leading to what we see in verses 4-5. That's why those verses are all in one paragraph together in the Bible!

But then there's verse 6. This sentence is saying two things at the same time. First, when we don't care for people, we are hurting them even though they aren't against us and haven't done anything to hurt us. But, second, when we don't love others well, when we hate people or don't care for them, we are actually hurting Jesus. Jesus died on the cross, despite being the ultimate innocent one, because of our sin. That makes sin pretty serious...so that makes things like being mean or taking advantage of people pretty serious, too. But, luckily, Jesus was never against us and is still not against us even though we can be selfish. He forgives us and is for us!


THINK ABOUT IT:

1. Has there been a time where you were selfish and it ended up negatively affecting, or hurting, someone else? (Try and think specifically! Don't just say yes or no!)

2. Do you usually think Jesus is for you? Or do you see Him as against you?

 
TRY THIS:

See if you can think of any Bible story that connects to the idea that what we do to people around us actually affects Jesus! 
(There are a few...but there's a really good one in Matthew 25. Hint: Baaing vs bleeting)

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