James 5:2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.
James may have in mind the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:19: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.” All the treasures we have in this world can be taken away, broken, or deteriorate. Many of these treasures are useful or symbolic in life. But they are not life itself. They provide comforts to live and may even sustain life. True life is found in Jesus who is the Way, Truth, and Life (John 14:6). Rot, rats, and moths may be God’s reminders to us not to put too much emphasis into things of this world. We must keep the right perspective about our things. I have a lot of stuff, too much stuff. A lot of it I don’t need. I hardly touch any of it. Many believers, especially in developed nations, could live simpler lives. Our houses are full of things, many of which we do not need. They may be convenient. Our age has become the consumer age, full of malls and department stores. Our closets are full of clothes. I have shirts in my closet I have only worn once or twice in ten years. I also have my favorites that I wear several times a week. I have seen some closets so crammed full of clothes that there is no room left to stuff anything else in. It can be difficult to give up our things. We worked hard to buy these things. They have value to us. But has this value become a god that possesses us and holds us as slaves? I wrestle with these ideas a lot. May God give us the strength to say no to the things of this world.
For older posts, click here.