James 4:4 Alternate Meaning?

[GerWat]

Looking at "James 4:4 You adulterous people,[a] don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God."

Different translations all say about the same thing so finding truth that way is not working.  Want to pick the brains of those who study this stuff all the time.

I'm looking for an alternative meaning.  I don't think we can take this at face value, as with much of the Bible, as popularly understood.  Surely we are not actual enemy combatants allied against our Father which would be suicide. :eek:  It needs to be expanded properly, not with fire and brimstone :punish:, to be properly understood, so have at it!

So what does it actually mean?  Is James just being melodramatic? :URWelcome:

"3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."
- Ah, but as far as we know we just want our friend to be healed, how is this so wrong that Father is silent?

"5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble."[c]
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."

Suffice it to say, tried all this (except the joy, I just can't seem to suppress my normal level of joy :dsunny: for very long) and apparently have no idea what it all means because I'm still not satisfied.

Jerry

[jugghead]

For me, the key is the word "world" ..... it's original definition is "orderly arrangement" taken from the root word meaning "to provide for"

What is the orderly arrangement of the world? Is it not the law, to condemn those who break it and love those who don't?

Do we, as believers in "all will be saved", have our orderly arrangement, is it not to forgive as we have been forgiven? to love one another? Turn the other cheek? not repaying evil for evil? Do we love only those who love us? of what benefit is that? Do we only love and forgive and have compassion towards those who are willing to obey the law?

What are we providing, condemnation through the law or grace through forgiveness ..... is it not forgiveness of sins that is manifested through this physical vessel we call a body rather than condemnation through our tongue?

The thoughts of the Father come out of His mind, being sent through His heart of love, forgiveness and compassion which His Heart "IS" the Son ..... then the two working together as one manifest these things as one (a thought of love) in His Spirit in us ..... so that it may come into this physical world through our physical body.

In other words ..... we are enmity with God when we condemn through the law rather than forgive through love (which is grace)

and why adulteress? We commit adultery against God's Spirit of forgiveness when we condemn through the spirit of condemnation.

my  :2c:

[Lazarus Short]

As Jesus the Christ said, you cannot serve two masters.

[Ross]

I.M.O the adultery is loving another god than the Father; since we are considered the bride of Christ; hence a simile.
Paul also refers to this concept in Eph 5;31,32

The asking not receiving seems to be because asking for the wrong things. May indeed be wanting a friend to be healed- but what if they are being corrected by God; or the healing may happen just not when we think. After all there seems to be the matter that God knows more than we do so works to His plan not our suggestions unless we present a conclusive case; then considers. Look at the Sodom Gomorrah where there was not even one who could stop the fire brimstone.

The fact that things work together, for me, changed the perspective of requests. I was corrected, so to will others be corrected. Hence look into what is going on; be there to help, God will make this plain if you are to be involved in healing.

[eaglesway]

I agree the adultery James speaks of is, primarily, spiritual adultery. I do think he had a reason for being so strong about it. I think he was writing to a church much like the one Jesus wrote to through John in revelation..... One that was falling away from the purity of the faith, both in the pursuit and enjoyment of earthly wealth and in moral complacency that was opening doors to sins of the flesh.


Jame's rhetoric is consistent through out his epistle.

"Brethren this ought not to be"

"Cleanse your hands you sinners"

"This wisdom is not from above but is earthly, sensual, demonic"

There was no political correctness in the apostles. They warned and constrained and exhorted and called it as they saw it, as was their charge from the Holy Spirit of God to be light and salt in the midst of the great congregation.

The purpose of this directness was not to condemn, but is was instead to preserve, because as Jesus said, "A little leaven leavens the whole lump".

[rosered]

   Beautiful and thoughtful answers  , loved them all  :HeartThrob:
  You asked a great question Gerwat ! 

What does it mean !
Just going to share  this  little bit  as a , hope  alive  ,with all that has been shared already .

James and John  are the sons of thunder   , we should listen  ,   To  the Voice  of many waters   from above .  Namely   the WORD OF GOD ..

To be carnally minded is death .the carnal mind is an enemy against the SPIRIT  HIS HOLY SPIRIT OF LIFE

  So what is   being a  friend  to the world  mean ?
  We are  told    it is separation    from the LOVE OF GOD which is LIFE   , THE LIVING GOD
and faithlessness    is rebellion , because without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please GOD.   

The substance of faith is  so  small  at first  , but every increase of Gods   grace  is given by this   precious  union ,as faith is practiced to depend on God for everything  and restoring back   a Full LIFE from the dead ..

   I see the world as dead to GOD  , But in Christ we know that HE IS THE  MASTER of the dead and the living   and all  things are HELD    WITHIN HIM [GODS WORD ]  and  being subjected   to GODS WILL or desire that none should perish    but surrender    that carnal and rebellious mind for the mind of Christ , HE IS THE HEAD OF ALL AUTHORITY , POWER and  control .

2 Peter 8But do not let this one fact escape your notice,

beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.

9The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness,


but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

Today IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE WILL LIVE !!  Today is that  DAY of the LORD   to eat of the tree of LIFE  as we ate of  the tree of knowledge of good and evil ,  we die in that DAY    we ate   spiritually and  let the carnal mind rule  over the body
But the BODY BELONGS TO CHRIST    , HE WILL  reign as the enemies are subjected to his   VOICE and every knee will bow and  every tongue will confess  HIM


HIS WORD WILL NOT RETURN TO HIM VOID Isaiah 55:11

11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.



The Dangers of Unbelief
...14For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end, 15while it is said, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS, AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME." 16For who provoked Him when they had heard? Indeed, did not all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses?...

Psalm 95:7
for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if only you would hear his voice,

Hebrews 3:7
So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear his voice,

Hebrews 4:7
God again set a certain day, calling it "Today." This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts."

  Isaiah 48 ...9"For the sake of My name I delay My wrath, And for My praise I restrain it for you, In order not to cut you off. 10"Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. 11"For My own sake, for My own sake, I will act; For how can My name be profaned? And My glory I will not give to another.

Our hearts  are hardened to Gods Spirit   only to be  broken into  pieces   when the fires of the oven  have  destroyed the worldly powers that be ''elements ''melt  with fervent heat ..

a broken heart and contrite spirit  GOD will not despise   , LOVE WINS   in the end ..GOD IS LOVE and    LOVE    IS stronger than death .. :HeartThrob:

[marie glen]

 :iagree: :iagree:

....love of the world, is at odds with... pulls in a different direction, than love of God and His kingdom.. to put God's kingdom first in our heart, rather than love of the world... I think God's kingdom vs man's... where our treasure is, there will our heart be..

[Dandelion]

There are many references in the Bible that imply or say that we are to be in the world, but not of the world.

We are the light of this often dark world.

Matthew 5: 13"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. 14"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house....

Here, Jesus asks the Father to protect us, those who are in the world, but like Jesus, do not belong to the world.

John 17: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

6"I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. 12While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

13"I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17Sanctify them byd the truth; your word is truth. 18As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.


20"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

24"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

25"Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."


I think the expression, 'you have been called....' is appropriate here. We are 'called' out of this world, yet remain here, to be a light and salt to those who don't know the Holy Spirit, and live their lives according to this world's standards and not the law of Love, which is God's standards. We must pass the torch to others. While we transform to the likeness of Christ, we become a beacon to others. 

One more:

Matthew 13: 45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

Yes, Marie.....where our treasure is, that is where our heart will be.

My   :2c:

D.

[rosered]

  :HeartThrob:  Amen ! 
Isaiah 43


Bring out the people who are blind, even though they have eyes,
And the deaf, even though they have ears.
9 All the nations have gathered together
So that the peoples may be assembled.
Who among them can declare this
And proclaim to us the former things?
Let them present their witnesses that they may be justified,
Or let them hear and say, "It is true."
10 "You are My witnesses," declares the Lord,
"And My servant whom I have chosen,
So that you may know and believe Me
And understand that I am He.
Before Me there was no God formed,
And there will be none after Me.
11 "I, even I, am the Lord,
And there is no savior besides Me.
12 "It is I who have declared and saved and proclaimed,
And there was no strange god among you;
So you are My witnesses," declares the Lord,
"And I am God.
13 "Even from eternity I am He,
And there is none who can deliver out of My hand;
I act and who can reverse it?"

[MHz]

Looking at "James 4:4 You adulterous people,[a] don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God."

Different translations all say about the same thing so finding truth that way is not working.  Want to pick the brains of those who study this stuff all the time.

I'm looking for an alternative meaning.  I don't think we can take this at face value, as with much of the Bible, as popularly understood.  Surely we are not actual enemy combatants allied against our Father which would be suicide. :eek:  It needs to be expanded properly, not with fire and brimstone :punish:, to be properly understood, so have at it!

So what does it actually mean?  Is James just being melodramatic? :URWelcome:

"3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."
- Ah, but as far as we know we just want our friend to be healed, how is this so wrong that Father is silent?

"5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble."[c]
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."

Suffice it to say, tried all this (except the joy, I just can't seem to suppress my normal level of joy :dsunny: for very long) and apparently have no idea what it all means because I'm still not satisfied.

Jerry

You supplied most or the answer yourself as it indicated that the emotions a sinner experiences are 'sadness' compared to the emotions a believer will will experience. The reference below is suitable for the time from the Gospels were written (100AD) until the start of the 42 months in Re:11 as the two witnesses are 'doing exploits' so they are proof that faith in God is not in vain. Prayer for personal safety also beans some make it through without dying before the return.

Vs:3- key words motive is insecurity rather than sincerity. It is not a prayer for protection of your body during the 'tribulation in the latter days' as that is defined by what happens in the 42 months the Beast from the Pit is given.

De:4:27-31:
And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations,
and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen,
whither the LORD shall lead you.
And there ye shall serve gods,
the work of men's hands,
wood and stone,
which neither see,
nor hear,
nor eat,
nor smell.
But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God,
thou shalt find him,
if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
When thou art in tribulation,
and all these things are come upon thee,
even in the latter days,
if thou turn to the LORD thy God,
and shalt be obedient unto his voice;
(For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;)
he will not forsake thee,
neither destroy thee,
nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

Vs:5-7 is these ones alone, there is nobody else with any powers during that period of time.

Re:11:3-6:
And I will give power unto my two witnesses,
and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days,
clothed in sackcloth.
These are the two olive trees,
and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
And if any man will hurt them,
fire proceedeth out of their mouth,
and devoureth their enemies:
and if any man will hurt them,
he must in this manner be killed.
These have power to shut heaven,
that it rain not in the days of their prophecy:
and have power over waters to turn them to blood,
and to smite the earth with all plagues,
as often as they will.

The passage this little bit comes from is also about just them.

Re:12:17:
And the dragon was wroth with the woman,
and went to make war with the remnant of her seed,
which keep the commandments of God,
and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Zec:4:2-5:
And said unto me,
What seest thou? 
And I said,
I have looked,
and behold a candlestick all of gold,
with a bowl upon the top of it,
and his seven lamps thereon,
and seven pipes to the seven lamps,
which are upon the top thereof:
And two olive trees by it,
one upon the right side of the bowl,
and the other upon the left side thereof.
So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me,
saying,
What are these, my lord?
Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me,
Knowest thou not what these be? 
And I said,
No,
my lord.

Zec:4:11-14:
Then answered I,
and said unto him,
What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?
And I answered again,
and said unto him,
What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?
And he answered me and said,
Knowest thou not what these be? 
And I said,
No,
my lord.
Then said he,
These are the two anointed ones,
that stand by the LORD of the whole earth.

[rosered]

Love those scriptures  MHz ,,    :HeartThrob:

Zec:4:11-14:
Then answered I,
and said unto him,
What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?
And I answered again,
and said unto him,
What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?
And he answered me and said,
Knowest thou not what these be? 
And I said,
No,
my lord.
Then said he,
These are the two anointed ones,
that stand by the LORD of the whole earth.

  The Anointed and Appointed   HOLY WORD & HOLY SPIRIT   are the two witnesses 

They testify  both in the earth and as it is  in Heaven    ,,, Rev11 when they laid  dead in the streets  , till the breath of God breathed on them
Jesus being the Word of God  died so many would come though Him  , this living Word is in you  and testifying  as witness to Gods glory  , the same   Holy Spirit  of Life   that raise  Him from the dead , on the streets of Sodom and Egypt 

is in you ..   what was dead letters of the law  and without the Spirit of Christ returning  to you , you also was as a dead man dying in your sins .

  and so it is for everyone   that receives a new Life in Christ that anointing  and fire and Light  and love and burning passion
  to LIVE and also Him breathing on you as He also did  to his students of the Word , followers, disciples .. .   

It is a Living Word doing the same works   of Jesus  Christ our pattern  to follow  by the Holy Spirit of God  healing  , raising the dead to Life again  ,the ONLY HOLY FATHER   in you and judging everything   in  the  righteousness WORD  of God BY HIS OWN SPIRIT  .
  Rev 1912He has eyes like blazing fire, and many royal crowns on His head. He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows. 13He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God. 14The armies of heaven, dressed in fine linen, white and pure, follow Him on white horses....

Yes ,  I am a broken record  lol , just check out the scriptures for yourself   and see  if they all  fit , many are coming together
  beautifully and impossible to write them all down ..

[MHz]

Since the king that stands up at the start of a new passage in Da:11 it can be assumed that the ones in the verse below are the two witnesses as they are the only ones that can do exploits during the 42 months the Beast of the Pit is given.   :2c: [mod edit]

Da:11:32:
And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries:
but the people that do know their God shall be strong,
and do exploits.

These are also the two witnesses and IMO [mod edit], the times things points to 3 1/2 days rather than any other variance.

Da:7:23-26:
Thus he said,
The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth,
which shall be diverse from all kingdoms,
and shall devour the whole earth,
and shall tread it down,
and break it in pieces.
And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise:
and another shall rise after them;
and he shall be diverse from the first,
and he shall subdue three kings.
And he shall speak great words against the most High,
and shall wear out the saints of the most High,
and think to change times and laws:
and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
But the judgment shall sit,
and they shall take away his dominion,
to consume and to destroy it unto the end.

[marie glen]

Looking at "James 4:4 You adulterous people,[a] don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God."

http://biblehub.com/interlinear/james/4-4.htm - It looks like the greek says it more like this - don't you know friendship with the world is hostility (or alienation) towards God?

Like the verse where Jesus says we can't serve God and mammon.. the money making prime focus and life revolving around making a profit..

..to the humble He gives the grace that's so needed.. His Spirit is possessive.. Love of mammon blocks God.. Resist the devil's wiles and he will flee.. if we draw near to God He draws near to us..

But if we are double minded.. loving profit, favoring the wealthy.. we should sanctify our hands and heart; Such should not be accompanied with laughter and celebration.. but if sincere would result in mourning and weeping.. true repentance. Our joy in worldliness and status, throw us into gloom so we will humble ourselves (and yield, yield, yield unto Him?).. "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you"! :mshock:  :gimmefive:

...If our prayers are selfish prayers - everything being all about us - we will not receive.. If there are quarrels and wars (divisions) among us (!) we are likely saying self - it's all about me - prayers..

All of that.. love of money and wealth.. wars, quarrels, division, haughty attitude, an attitude of looking out for number one.. is all unfaithfulness to God and the pursuit of Him.. it will not profit our walk with the Lord, or the condition of our heart (oops, I'm add libbing a little with that last line! :laughing7: ...may be logically true but it's not in these verses)

Even if we're not at the time behaving like this, it's not a bad idea to read this every so often to keep ourselves well reminded of it.. It's so easy to fall prey to that idea that it's all about moi.. :mock: or to give a better greeting to the well dressed than the downtrodden. Or the tongue to start a fire, minor or major. :doh: :Peace2: :dsunny: (p.s. - I think joy is a good fruit! /of the Spirit)

[Ross]

There are many references in the Bible that imply or say that we are to be in the world, but not of the world.

We are the light of this often dark world.

Trouble is the light attracts bugs at night!

Amen! "Not of this world." Hence think about the things to come which are greater than the temporary in which we now live.

[rosered]

There are many references in the Bible that imply or say that we are to be in the world, but not of the world.

We are the light of this often dark world.

Trouble is the light attracts bugs at night!

Amen! "Not of this world." Hence think about the things to come which are greater than the temporary in which we now live.

  Amen ,
  Bro Ross , and Sis D , :dsunny:

No one like a bright light shining on them  while they are trying to sleep   either  :laughing7:
rise o sleeper  out of death  and Live .

  Eph 5 Children of Light


...13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible,

for everything that is illuminated becomes a light itself.

14So it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."

15Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,... like a virgin   10 virgins    5 wise
  5 unwise  :girlheart:    keeping yourselves pure and unspotted from the world

  May God have mercy on us all     :HeartThrob:

[marie glen]

Amen! Of course we are 'friends' with the people of this world and life, but if we become 'too chummy' with this - man's system of things, we would likely become blind to the coming of the bridegroom.. our lamps would run low and we would have no oil with us with which to fill the lamps.. :doh: :faint: [not good]

...How relaxing.. He did say to be like children.. and to be like flowers in the field.. they don't worry.. they don't toil.. "but" says He "look how beautifully they are arrayed.. will He not much more clothe you, oh ye of little faith?" I'm trying to be like a child.. no worries.. but not a second childhood which I've already done :laughing7:

I can see how it can be so easily deceptive though. I met a guy once really enthusiastic about ministry, etc, til our mutual acquaintance sort of smirked and said, 'ya, he's just trying to pay off his mortgage'! And I think the first guy actually thought he was doing something good.. Not that there's anything at all wrong with paying off our mortgage! lol. But using the ministry and preaching, etc, to do so..
As my grand daughter would say, Um. No.
   :Chinscratch: :Peace2:

[WhiteWings]

Not that there's anything at all wrong with paying off our mortgage! lol. But using the ministry and preaching, etc, to do so.. As my grand daughter would say, Um. No.
   :Chinscratch: :Peace2:

https://www.bible-bridge.com/pauls-income-four-reasons-why-paul-worked-day-job/

[marie glen]

Not that there's anything at all wrong with paying off our mortgage! lol. But using the ministry and preaching, etc, to do so.. As my grand daughter would say, Um. No.
   :Chinscratch: :Peace2:

https://www.bible-bridge.com/pauls-income-four-reasons-why-paul-worked-day-job/

amen, quote = Instead of clinging to the principle "the laborer deserves to be paid," Paul was thinking, "How can the gospel move forward with the least resistance?"

    :thumbsup: amen, let us hope all ministers, etc, would all at least consider this, and are not ministering out of a motive of "filthy lucre"/profit (their own) as Paul said referring to some false teachers of his day..

..Not that pastors shouldn't be able to have pastoring as their employment.. and a house provided while they are doing so ("judge nothing before its time" .."He judges not merely by appearance.." .."judge not.." etc)

But at the same time, I've long felt a great 'church' would be believers gathering with all having a word to share.. and with no building to support with utilities, etc.. If they grow and decide to pool resources for a larger place to meet.. A park would be nice, but not in the winter. :laughing7:

[WhiteWings]

Stingy and greed is bad, but wealth is no sin.

If wealth is sin the God would have blessed Job with a double portion of sin....

[JamesH]

We are not to be friends of the world that loves darkness but be salt and light to the world so that we can shine that light upon the darkness,change the world and be friends of that changing world that now loves the light and no longer hides and loves the dark.

[marie glen]

Stingy and greed is bad, but wealth is no sin.

If wealth is sin the God would have blessed Job with a double portion of sin....

Amen, not wealth... "friendship with the world" is at odds/"enmity with God"..

We may all agree that using the pulpit to get rich may not be the best idea.. The verses likely being a call to examine our own heart as to where our highest allegiance is..

[sheila]

 :2c:lawsuits ofbrothers,before unbelievers..you are already overcome.

[eaglesway]

IMO inordinate wealth is a sin, but that line is between God and every individual according to His purpose in their life and their stewardship and function towards the body. With all the need in the world around us, How can someone pile up money beyond the reasonable needs of themselves and their loved ones?

I think this was James' point when he said,

Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. 2Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. 3Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure! 4Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. 5You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.

[rosered]

IMO inordinate wealth is a sin, but that line is between God and every individual according to His purpose in their life and their stewardship and function towards the body. With all the need in the world around us, How can someone pile up money beyond the reasonable needs of themselves and their loved ones?

I think this was James' point when he said,

Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. 2Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. 3Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure! 4Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. 5You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.

   Thanks John ,  for the reminder ,

   I can see that as  hoarding the righteous and unrighteous mammon 

  Not serving in the Love of God  at all  but for greedy gain  ,   like widow     one whom lives  in hope while the other  is compared to whom  was dead while she was living ...

5The widow who is truly in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers. 6But she who lives for pleasure is dead even while she is still alive.

7Give these instructions to the believers, so that they will be above reproach.

  found some   verses  here too .
...26Evil plans are an abomination to the LORD, But pleasant words are pure.

27He who profits illicitly troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live. 28The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things....

1 Timothy 6:9
Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.

1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

Exodus 23:8
"You shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of the just.

Deuteronomy 16:19
"You shall not distort justice; you shall not be partial, and you shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and perverts the words of the righteous.

1 Samuel 12:3
"Here I am; bear witness against me before the LORD and His anointed. Whose ox have I taken, or whose donkey have I taken, or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed, or from whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with it? I will restore it to you."

Proverbs 1:19
So are the ways of everyone who gains by violence; It takes away the life of its possessors.

Proverbs 11:29
He who troubles his own house will inherit wind, And the foolish will be servant to the wisehearted.

Proverbs 15:26
Evil plans are an abomination to the LORD, But pleasant words are pure.

Proverbs 23:4
Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, Cease from your consideration of it.

Proverbs 28:25
An arrogant man stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.

  Matt 6 Do Not Worry

...32For the pagans pursue all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them.

33But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.

34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own....