God dislikes unjust gain

James 5:4 Indeed the wages of the labourers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud cry out… God is not against us having money. He is against money having us. Having enough money to meet your financial obligations is a good thing. The good book acknowledges the crucial role money plays in our earthly life. It is written in Ecclesiastes 10:19, “money answereth all things.” Indeed, financial independence is the goal of everyone. However, there are wrong ways to gain wealth. For instance, it is wrong before God and man to achieve financial independence through stealing. Apostle Paul wrote to believers at Ephesus instructing them to stop stealing and to work with their own hands.

Ephesians 4:28, “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labour, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need” (Ephesians 4:28). Another way of enriching oneself that is wrong in the eyes of God and people is defrauding labourers. Of late the media has been awash with allegations of employers and company bosses indulging in selfish living and pleasure at the expense of employees. The epistle of James was probably the first New Testament book to have been written.

But how current and accurate are its teachings to our society today! Its message especially on unjust gain and oppression of labourers is so relevant and applicable to the present working world. The apostle warned those rich people who became rich through defrauding labourers and killing the innocent to multiply their own riches that God’s judgement would come upon them. “Indeed the wages of the labourers who owed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabbath. You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you,” (James 5:1-6.).

It is common knowledge that salaries and wages vary according to training, experience and profit margin of the organisation. However, when the gap between the top brass and the bottom is outrageous there is unjust gain and oppression. It is a very wicked thing for employers and bosses to not pay employees fair wages and on time when the funds are available.

It is important for all employers and employees to realise that God is involved in their contracts as an invisible judge. When an employee steals from the employer God knows and when an employer oppresses an employee God knows too. Sometimes, it may seem like justice will never prevail but with God judgement delayed is not judgment denied. For feedback call 0772889766 or email mairos78@yahoo.co.uk