Total Percentage of World Population that lives on less than $2.50 a day is 50%.
Total number of people that live on less than $2.50 a day is 3 Billion.
Total Percentage of People that live on less than $10 a day is 80%.
This is the backdrop and the plight of the people, likely even worse, to whom James wrote his letter. In chapter 5, James also addresses an audience who may or may not read his letter but nevertheless is held up as a people cursed by God - people who hoarded their wealth and unaffected by the plight around them. Simply put, wealth makes you particular. When it comes to the flesh, it's never enough. The more it is indulged, the more it becomes particular - the more it demands. Once indulged, sharing your wealth becomes less and less of an option. The fear and anxiety even thinking about the flesh going without...well, you see why the rich hoards their wealth.
Now, before you think that you're not at risk of being in this group, let's take a test:
- Does your heart turn sour when you can't eat what you want, i.e., meat, carbs, etc.?
- Do you get testy when the air conditioner or the heater isn't set exactly to your liking?
- Are you particular about hotel rooms?
- Does entertainment hold you back from sleeping on time and having your devotions?
- Can you go without a smartphone, internet, etc., even if it is the cause of many consistent sins?
The greatest threat in America and to Christianity is success...for the reasons why we are answering yes to the above questions. As Christians, we are called to take the war to the flesh, to deny its pleasures and not allow it to rule our lives. We fast - both food and entertainment. We live simpler and tell our mortal flesh to get used to it. If something consistently causes us to sin, we get rid of it. We share radically to prove Jesus set us free. There are no greater riches than Christ. He alone is our treasure. If we are to be particular, it is about him and for him - Jesus alone is enough! When Jesus is enough, then so are the things of this world.