James 5:3 KJV
[3] “Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.”
If your wealth had a voice, what would it say? How would it testify on your behalf? Would it testify for you or against you? Now, you might think you are not a wealthy person, and you are barely getting by from day to day, but dear reader, if you compare your possessions to what others have, you will find yourself a wealthy individual. If you have a roof over your head and clothes on your back, you have more than many people in this world.
The people in our text have corrupted wealth. They have obtained it dishonestly. The Lord says that their wealth tells the story of their corruption. It is a witness against them and to all who know them. We have all met wealthy people in this world and the story of how they obtained their riches. Some men have gained wealth through inheritance, while others have received it through hard labor and wise investments.
As we start out in life, it is interesting to realize that we spend our health to gain our wealth, then later in life, we spend our wealth trying to regain our health. We spend our time heaping treasures for the last days. Remember, there is nothing wrong with saving for your golden years, as long as your gain is acquired honestly and you retire with a good name. Don’t allow your wealth to tell a story that testifies against you. Leave behind a good testimony in this world that will glorify your Heavenly Father and provide a legacy for others to follow.