This history teaches an important lesson. In this generation wealth often comes by fraud. Many people are struggling with poverty, compelled to work for small wages, unable to afford even the necessities of life. Worried and oppressed, they do not know where to turn for relief. And all this so that the rich may live extravagantly or indulge their desire to accumulate more! RR 229.4
Love of money and display has made this world a den of thieves. “Come now, you rich,” James wrote. “You have heaped up treasure in the last days. Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth [hosts]. You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter.” James 5:1, 3-5. RR 229.5
Even some who profess to fear God are repeating what the nobles of Israel did. Because it is in their power to do so, they become oppressors. And because the lives of those who have taken the name of Christ show such greed, people hold the religion of Christ in contempt. Extravagance and extortion are corrupting the faith of many and destroying their spirituality. The church gives approval to evil if she fails to lift her voice against it. RR 229.6
Every unjust act is a violation of the golden rule—done to Christ Himself in the person of His people. Every attempt to take advantage of another person’s ignorance or misfortune is registered as fraud in the books of heaven. Just to the extent that we may try to gain personal advantage at the disadvantage of another, to that extent will we become unresponsive to the influence of the Spirit of God. RR 230.1
The Son of God paid the price for our redemption. He became poor that through His poverty we might be rich. By helping the poor liberally we may prove the sincerity of our gratitude: “Let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10. “Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12. RR 230.2