24
2009
James on the Recession… sort of
An article by 
Read the following passage from the letter of James to those of the Dispersion. It is taken from Eugene Petterson’s translation – the Message. As you read it, think about the global financial crash the world has experienced, what caused it and the fear that drives it:
And a final word to you arrogant rich: Take some lessons in lament. You’ll need buckets for the tears when the crash comes upon you. Your money is corrupt and your fine clothes stink. Your greedy luxuries are a cancer in your gut, destroying your life from within. You thought you were piling up wealth. What you’ve piled up is judgement.
All the workers you’ve exploited and cheated cry out for judgement. The groans of the workers you used and abused are a roar in the ears of the Master Avenger. You’ve looted the earth and lived it up. But all you have to show for it is a fatter than usual corpse. In fact, what you’ve done is is condemn and murder perfectly good persons, who stand there and take it. James 5:1-6 (The Message//Remix)
Who said the Bible wasn’t relevant for today?
The current financial situation offers us the chance to rethink how we live and what we do with money. Let’s not slip back into the very practices that have fed the current problem. Let’s allow these words from James to slap us in the face, wake us up, challenge us and inspire us to live differently.
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About the Author: Frank Ritchie
Frank is the Education and Advocacy Manager for TEAR Fund NZ. Frank is a licensed Minister in the Wesleyan Methodist Church of New Zealand and has a keen interest in biblical perspectives of Justice and how this connects to service to, with and for the poor, disadvantaged and marginalized people of the world.
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I love the book of James. Lots of great stuff in there.
I’ve never been all that impressed with the Message, but that certainly grabbed my attention and made me have a second look. I think I might need to go back to look some more… a copy of the Message may end up on my bookshelf yet
The Message – How to miss the point completely.
That’s truly awesome! I know many atheists who’d be astonished to know that’s there… I need to try The Message, I had previously thought it was so up-to-the-minute as to be embarassing, but I have to reconsider.
Deb
Grant, you’re not going to become one of those annoying people who only comments when they’ve got something disparaging to offer are you? If so and if this blog only offers stuff to you that you’re going to disagree with, don’t waste your time… or mine.
I don’t have much time for argumentative people who spend their time just stirring on blogs.
If you’ve got something more to offer then please feel free to stick around, I’d love your input. I’m up for challenging discussion, but not quick dismissive comments.
Frank – you’ll be happy to know that I did not respond to this immediately. I took some time to consider a response. And here it is:
Get over yourself.
If you want some constructive responses then say something worthwhile. In the meantime I will respond as and when I see fit.