September 30th, 2012
Warning to the Rich
Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your
riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded,
and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You
have laid up treasure in the last days. Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your
fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the
harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in
luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You
have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.
Patience in Suffering
Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for
the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late
rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at
hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged;
behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience,
brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those
blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you
have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any
other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under
condemnation.
P: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
