James 5

I have just been reading James 5 and it got me to wondering; in a society where no one goes without, where money - through loans, credits and benefits - is readily available, where even the poorest amongst us can have clothes to wear, food in their bellies, a roof over their heads, and access to amazing health facilities, how can this warning to rich oppressors apply to us? In the end the answer comes swiftly and once again we have to stop thinking on an individual basis and think corporately, or in this case globally. Our country along with many countries in the world qualifies as a "rich oppressor" of other nations that do not have our wealth and opportunities, the question is "how do I challenge this?" but the answer does not come swiftly in this case. Perhaps as individuals and corporately as the church we can use what opportunity we have to change the status quo, and perhaps as the Church we can start with ourselves. I love Pope Francis and all that he is trying to do with the Catholic Church, what a man of God he is. I see Justin Welby in a similar light however I think his job is much more difficult than the Pope's as the Anglican Church is so intertwined with our government and the laws of this land. But enough of that, I am called to take the plank of wood out of my own eye before I try to take the speck of dust out of my brothers eye and there is where I need to begin.