James 5

“The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.”

My community (church) is studying the book of James right now. And it’s wonderful.

I just read this line in a book I’m reading for the second time and this time it popped out at me even more since my eyes are peeled for James. The book quotes that verse above.

Then the author goes on with his interpretation. . .

“This isn’t simply about fairly paying the immigrants who mow our lawns (or the many other things immigrants and the working-poor do for too cheap): it’s about the way our world’s economy drains wealth from the poor up to the rich. And we are all part of it.

But the god of money (whom, let’s face it, we all serve because we all want money) calls out,

‘How could we buy cheap shirts (and other cute clothes from Target, etc.) without the sweatshops of Honduras?

How could we get cheap fast food without the migrant tomato farmers in Florida?’

God hears the workers’ groaning.

God’s gift of the earth itself is at stake too.

‘You cannot know that life is holy if you are content to live from economic practices that daily destroy life and diminish its possibility.

But if we are to maintain any sense or coherence or meaning in our lives, we cannot tolerate the present utter disconnection between religion and economy.’”

What does all this mean for me?

Well this tiny segment is part of a whole picture that God is teaching me about NOT being a consumer. Not just being a “wise shopper,” but literally figuring out how I can consume less and less, so that I can stop supporting an economy I don’t agree with. And stop supporting corporations that are living out unfair practices with their workers.

I do find it very hard to not consume. But, I can stop buying clothes, unless they are completely worn out and falling off me. Let’s be honest, I have plenty of clothes to last me a while. (Keep in mind, I am not holding my clothes selection up to the normal standards)

I can choose my food wisely and try to eat at home as much as possible.

I can let go of my desire for a nice SLR camera so that I can REALLY take quality pictures.

I can let go of my desire for a better computer, cell phone, ipod, and other electronics.

I can borrow books. (this one is REALLY tough for me. . .and I’m not totally convinced that not buying books will effect the economy greatly, but I know it will somehow)

I haven’t officially decided if this is crazy or not but my friend (who is similar to me in socio demographics) goes “dumpster diving” sometimes. And I know that sounds just straight up stupid, but tell me what sounds more crazy: throwing out loaves of bread that were baked that day or the day before and plenty of other fruits, veggies, and other foods that are completely edible, safe, and good--throwing that food out when others are starving……… OR going to the back of a restaurant or store and getting that food and eating it and sharing it with others! And saving money so that you may share that with others!

Which one sounds crazy??

Continuing on….I can consolidate my wardrobe to much less (even if it looks like I’m wearing the same clothes way too often) and give the abundance to others and do the same with all the other gidgets and gadgets and this and that around my room.

I mean I could keep going, but I think you get the picture for me life.

Oh and also, it means a few more things for me:

Advocating (in lots of informal and formal ways) for the worker who is getting unfair wages; using my blessings of status, power, and prestige to bring others more of that.

Starting a garden as soon as I possibly can…..uhg I want to do this so bad.

Learning how to sew as soon as I possibly can (this is more of a dream, than anything close to reality right now)

And if I am ever in a position of employing workers or just leading over people, doing it fairly in every way possible.

The book doesn’t quote James 5:5, but I’m going to…

“You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.”

Man…..that’s intense. We don’t know if James is talking to Christians are non-Christians in that passage, but we do know that he starts the passage with, “Now listen you rich people…”

If you are reading this blog right now, I can almost guarantee you that you are rich, just in case you were wondering.

Anyways….that verse just really gets me. If that does not feel like daggers coming right at you, I don’t know what does. I live in luxury every single day. I live in self-indulgence pretty often. I have everything I need and almost everything I could even want. I am being fattened physically, emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually daily….while others are dying in war….while others are dying of starvation…..while others are being slaughtered by their own people....and on and on…..

No, I may not be the exact people that James was speaking to, but either way, I can not read those words, knowing my place in the world’s society, and not feel conviction and a desire to change something in my life that may bring even a slight bit of equality to the world. If I can simply not live in luxury; if I can simply stop fattening myself in all areas, I can still live well, so that others can live better.