The Book of James Week Five Lesson Three

“Self-Indulgence”

“For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The wages you held back cry out against you. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter. You have condemned and killed innocent people, who do not resist you.”  James 5:4-6

Society has become a self-indulgent, need-it-now, expect-it-now, get-it-at-any-cost, McDonald’s-fast, it’s-my-right, type of world. We (especially those in the free world) have become so used to having everything we think we need and want that we have become a society that expects to have everything we think we need or want NOW. We are all guilty of it. This fallen world is centered on “self.” 

My complacent attitude toward those in true need is disobedience to Christ’s command to love others as ourselves. The good news is this; God is merciful and gives us the ability to learn how He wants us to live as believers. Bible study and prayer help with it tremendously. But, it takes a conscious decision to act with love and respect to our fellow human beings. 

Read James 5:4-5b. What did the wealthy forget to do?

What has reached God’s ears?

How have the wealthy lived their lives?

You may not consider yourself wealthy, but in the world’s eyes, if you live in the USA or the free nations of the world, you are. There are poor here, but most folks eat at least once a day. For example, the diet industry is a billion dollar market. Lots of people are trying to lose weight. If you are trying to lose weight, then you are considered wealthy compared to the real poor who don’t eat for days.

Read Matthew 23. What are the seven woes Christ speaks about? List them.

What does Jesus say about “self-indulgence” in verse 25?

Jesus is talking to the Pharisees and the Teachers of the Law. Don’t tune this out and think it’s not about you. We can all be self-indulgent. Some are better than others with hiding their “me-first” attitude. In this fallen world, if we are disobedient to Jesus, we are thinking about what we want before what He wants. It applies to all of us. Christ asks us to examine our hearts.

Read Luke 12:15. What does Jesus warn us about?

What does He teach us that our lives should not consist of?

Read Psalm 62:11-12. What two things did the Psalmist hear from God?

1. ____________________________________
2. ____________________________________

Even though we may have eternal life. God does reward us by what we have done for Him on this earth. Jesus warns us that “self-indulgence” is not something worthy of reward. In fact, it is a time-waster. We waste time thinking about our needs and don’t work for Christ’s purposes. While we are thinking about how things will effect us, we forget or neglect the work God has for us to do. There is true reward in being obedient. Self-indulgence creates a thirst which can never be filled. Giving, having a generous heart like our Savior, fills us to overflowing.

James’ message to the wealthy of his time transcends through the generations and teaches the Lord’s will for our lives. In order for us to truly receive from the hand of God through Christ Jesus, we must lay ourselves down and pick up the life He has for us. Our true calling is to love God and love others.

Has anyone ever gotten in your way of getting what you want? What were the emotions you felt?

Did you feel the conviction of Christ’s Holy Spirit living within you? How did you respond?

I can think of many times when I put my desires above God’s command to love Him and love others. I feel frustration, anger, depression... When I think of Him first and how He wants me to behave in my life I am filled with joy, peace, patience, fulfillment...

He fills me with all good things and He is pleased. I’m learning. I still fall, but I’m learning.

Read Luke 6:38. What does Jesus promise will happen when we give?

What how does Jesus give back to us when we give as He tells us to?

We give, He gives back, pressed down, shaken together and running over. It reminds me of how I measure brown sugar. I scoop it out of the bag, I press it down, put some more on, press it down, put some more on, press it down....I heap it up so I can get as much of the brown sugar as I possibly can. Jesus gives this way. He gives more than enough. He gives to overflowing.

There is great benefit to being obedient to Jesus. In our self-indulgence, we only receive from our own hand. With obedience we receive from the hand of the Life-giver Himself. We receive the best from the King of Kings. Which would you rather have? Let’s give ourselves to Him and receive back more than enough.