James 1:9-11 & James 5:1-6.

We now move into a new theme in this James series: warnings to the rich. James begins this topic in Ch. 1, and then returns to it a few times throughout the letter.  In Ch. 5:1-6 is the harshest rhetoric of the whole letter.  

In one sense, James just continues Jesus' reversal theme from the Gospel of Luke. We are invited to look at the world through a Kingdom lens that is upside-down and inside-out. On the other hand, we might ask some questions about why such a strong warning: Is it wrong to be rich? Who is considered rich? Why is it dangerous  for our faith to be rich? What is an appropriate response?