Get Rich and Die Trying

In this text, James issues a stern warning to the ungodly rich, urging them to weep and wail over the impending misery that will befall them. He describes how their hoarded riches—such as rotted wealth, moth-eaten clothes, and corroded gold and silver—will ultimately testify against them, consuming their flesh like fire. This condemnation highlights the futility of accumulating material possessions in the "last days," portraying earthly treasures as perishable and self-damning.

While this passage serves as a condemnation of the ungodly rich, James intends it as a warning to his believing readers, who might be tempted by the outward flair of wealth. Wealth is not inherently evil, but can serve as a snare when pursued indiscriminately, corrupting individual integrity. Instead, James wants his readers to gain an eternal perspective and pursue greater goods.