James 5

James sounds like Jesus (in Matthew) when he says that riches are a bad investment over investing in Jesus. The rich people have cheated (killed?) others in order to get more riches.

James encourages patience instead. For those who are rich and those who are cheated. He now speaks to the entire church (hearers.) The church must be suffering persecution (economic?) Jesus is coming to right all wrongs and usher in a new day. Do not take out hardships on each other.

I love verse 12 and use it a lot. James believes in simple speech. Say, "Yes" or "No." How many times do we cushion a "Yes" or "No" to someone else with extra words because we feel badly? Or add a lot of words in order to confuse because we don't want to deal with the response to what we have said?

James ends with encouraging prayer and anointing people who are sick as well as honest speech (confessions) between church members.  Note that it is the faith of the person praying that aids healing. We often blame those who are ill with not having enough faith. Finally, don't let people stray away for the truth (the faith.) How often, out of politeness, do we "let things be" and let someone stray into trouble and lose God?