James 5:1-6: Killing the Righteous
Sunday, October 23, 2022
In Sirach 34:22 we hear: To take away a neighbor’s living is to murder him; to deprive an employee of his wages is to shed blood.
In a scripture study a number of years ago we looked at these verses along with Matthew 25:34-46, Acts 3:14, and 7:52, and we learn what Jesus means when he asks us to be good stewards of our gifts.
The master was furious. ‘That’s a terrible way to live! It’s criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest.
James points out that as humans, we learn slowly. We refuse to hear the lessons that will lighten our hearts.
And you continue, so bullheaded! Calluses on your hearts, flaps on your ears! Deliberately ignoring the Holy Spirit, you’re just like your ancestors.
How do we each kill the righteous? Today we have the opportunity to explore these verses and listen for the Word to settle into our hearts. We have the opportunity to cease killing not only the righteous among us, but the righteous parts of our own being that urge us to act in, with and through God.
Tomorrow, a prayer for those who want to cease killing the righteous . . .
Image from: http://joequatronejr.com/2015/03/17/money-talks-james-51-6/
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