You have lived on Earth in Luxury and Self-indulgence

Moth-eaten wool is an example of the
fleeting nature of "things" here on earth.

In James 5...it starts out as a "warning to rich oppressors".  Most of us would just skip over this (gloss over it) and say, "Yeah, I know of those people.  They are the ones that the Bible is warning here.  It's those ga-zillionaires that run those big companies from ivory towers. And in a way we would be right...in part.  But when we point out those people....4 more fingers are pointing back at us. 

We need to examine our own lives.  Are we the rich oppressors?  Have you... "lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence." Have you..."fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter."  Have you "stored" things in the attic...in the basement...in the garage...where moths or rust has ruined something that someone else could be using to survive?  Have you made the decision to short someone on "fair" pay....or not tip a wait person...or not want to pay the price of the plumber, electrician or auto mechanic?  It could be that this message is for most of us...in these times.

The Lord is coming.  There will be a time to answer to Him for our behavior...the attitudes of our hearts.  So if you fill at all convicted by this passage of living for self....repent!!! God wants us to live a life of love and good deeds.  "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. "