James 5:4

Amharic (Tigrigna: Contemporary Tigrinya Bible 2024)

እንሆ፡ ደሞዝ እቶም ግራውትኹም ዝቘረጹ ሸቃሎ፡ ብመጭበርበርቲ ካባኹም ተኸልኪሉ ዘሎ፡ ጻውዑ፤

What Does This Mean?

James is warning rich people who have not paid the workers they hired fairly. He says that the money owed to these workers cries out for justice, and God hears those cries.

Explained for Children

Imagine you promised your friend a treat if they helped clean up your room but then didn't give them anything. That would be unfair, right? Well, James is saying it's like that but much bigger – when grown-ups don’t pay workers what they deserve, God hears the workers' cries for fairness.

Historical Background

James wrote this letter to Jewish Christians scattered throughout various regions during the first century AD. He addressed issues of social justice and faithfulness in a community where economic disparity was a significant issue.

Living It Out Today

Today, if you own or manage a business, ensure you pay your employees fairly and on time. This includes not only wages but also benefits like overtime pay as required by law. Just as James warned against withholding workers’ earnings, modern businesses should uphold justice and fairness in their practices.

Topics

• justice
• fairness
• employment ethics
• economic justice
• God's awareness
• social responsibility

Related Verses

• Leviticus 19:13
• Proverbs 21:5
• Matthew 20:8-16
• Colossians 4:1
• Malachi 3:5

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 'the Lord of sabaoth' in this verse?

'Sabaoth' means armies, so 'Lord of Sabaoth' refers to God as the commander of all heavenly forces. It emphasizes that He hears and acts on behalf of those who are wronged.

Does James 5:4 apply only to agricultural workers?

While the verse specifically mentions laborers in fields, its principles extend to any type of worker being unfairly treated or not paid what they deserve for their work.

Can this verse be used to justify strikes by underpaid workers?

The verse speaks to fairness and justice but does not directly address the methods workers use to seek redress. It's more about moral responsibility than specific actions.

How should employers interpret James 5:4 in their daily operations?

Employers should ensure fair wages, timely payments, and just treatment of all employees as a reflection of God’s justice and fairness described in this verse.