When Possessions Become Sin

How much do you have? If you live in this country, and work, you likely have more than you need. But is having sinful? James answers that question in the 5th chapter of his book written to the twelve tribes where he says, “2 Your riches [a]are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days” (James 5:2-3). We know that physically riches and possessions are inanimate objects—not alive—no soul—no spirit and therefore they cannot in themselves be sin, but the questions James answers is: What does make our riches and possessions become sin to us? Where is the line drawn between righteousness and unrighteousness as it pertains to what we possess? At what point should we begin to “weep and howl” (v.1) so that we don’t allow what we have to become sin and cause us to loose our souls?