Good Life Now; Hell To Pay

September 10th, 2026
by Lance Waldie

James 5:5 You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.

The rich in James’ crosshairs had “lived luxuriously” while engaging in “wanton pleasure.” The former phrase is one word in Greek (estruphasate), used in the Septuagint (LXX) for an ease of life afforded to Israel (Neh. 9:25; cf. Isa 66:11). It thus has no inherent negativity attached to it. James, however, uses it negatively in reference to self-indulgency (cf. Luke 7:25; 2 Pet. 2:13). Likewise, “wanton pleasure” is also one word in Greek (espatalasate), referring to any selfish pleasure, whether sensual or otherwise. In the context of the rich who deny themselves nothing because of their ability to purchase whatever they like for their own pleasure, James accuses them in v. 5 of using their money for one purpose: to please themselves (cf. Ezek. 16:49). So, in addition to hoarding riches (5:2-3) and withholding wages (5:4), living luxuriously and engaging in wanton pleasures are two more reasons why “miseries” (v. 1) are in store for the stingy rich.

Of note in v. 5 is the phrase “on the earth,” for it describes the sinful use of riches in this world in order to achieve pleasure in contrast to the torment that awaits them in the next world for their misplaced priorities. Jesus presents a similar thought in the account of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). In that account, the rich man is completely aloof to the poor man named Lazarus who eats crumbs from his table. When their lives are over, Lazarus, a man of faith, is seen in the arms of Abraham who is in God’s presence. The rich man, however, suffers in Hades in torment, crying out to Abraham for relief. Abraham tells him, “Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony” (Luke 16:25). Clearly, this account attests to the prevalent teaching throughout the Bible that judgment awaits the wicked. Sadly, the stingy rich who are at ease now are as close to heaven in their earthly riches as they will ever be.

At the end of v. 5 James speaks of “fattened hearts in a day of slaughter.” The irony of this verbiage is that the rich were known for eating meat at meals, whereas the average person rarely did. The rich ate their fattened calves that they slaughtered, of which they had plenty. Yet unbeknownst to them, they, with their excesses, were the fattened ones, for the slaughter James speaks of is their own! Perhaps James was building on the image of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-30 by adding the image of the rich fool—the man who died after building bigger barns for his growing wealth in Luke 12:15-21. The point being that the eschatological day of the Lord is coming, and those who indulge in their wealth while cheating the poor are fattening themselves on their own riches for their own slaughter—the day when Christ returns to judge the wicked and do away with them forever (cf. Isa. 63:1-6; Ezek. 7:14-23; Rev. 19:17-21).

Since James’ context is the “last days” (v. 3), the reversal of fortune he speaks of in v. 5 for the rich fits the overall context of his warning. Later in v. 7 he speaks of the parousia—the coming of the Lord, commonly connected with the return of Christ in glory in the eschaton, or end-times. So, since James uses the imagery of slaughter in that “day,” there is little doubt he is giving a solemn warning to those who accumulate wealth for selfish reasons while cheating others who are either owed money or simply need the help the rich are able to provide.

Food For Thought
James’ stern words are loving! With the return of Christ looming, judgment could break forth at any moment. All of us with money to spare must cease from fattening ourselves and look to distribute God’s money to His glory. James was concerned with lovingly speaking the truth to those within the Church. We should do no less for those enjoying wealth while ignoring Christ.