David Hathaway

In this episode, drawn from James chapter 5, we are reminded of the danger of hoarding earthly riches rather than storing up eternal treasure in heaven.

Scripture paints a sobering picture: one can possess immense wealth in this life, yet stand in eternity spiritually impoverished – virtually naked, having brought nothing of true worth. When we hoard treasures on earth, those very possessions will testify against us like a consuming fire. Indeed, James points toward the eternal consequences of a life lived apart from Christ, where earthly wealth cannot rescue a soul from the fires of hell.

James hits even closer to home by confronting injustice directly: the withheld wages of the laborers who harvested the fields cry out, and those cries reach the ears of the Lord.

As Jesus illustrates in the parables, what we do in this life sends ahead the materials that build our heavenly dwelling. This is why James warns in verse 3 that hoarded gold and silver corrode, their rust bearing witness against those who rely on them. The agonising realisation that earthly riches perish like fire comes when one stands before the kingdom of God with nothing of eternal value to show for it.

When I was imprisoned for Bible smuggling, who could I turn to? Who could help me? I couldn't contact the British government. There was no one who could help me. There was only one Person I could turn to: Jesus; He is our deliverer. Whatever situation you find yourself in, turn to Jesus. He'll answer every prayer and touch your heart with His love and peace. 

'Run to the Father' and 'You answered me' used by kind permission of Vinesong.

In this episode, based on James chapter 5, we are cautioned against accumulating wealth on earth rather than in heaven.

A person can amass vast fortunes and become the wealthiest individual in the nation or across the globe, yet material riches endure for only a fleeting moment. Once this life ends, that wealth is gone forever. When weighed against eternity with Christ, earthly riches count for nothing in the kingdom of God.

James draws a vital contrast between our brief earthly existence and the boundless span of eternity in God's kingdom. Because we are given eternal life and will never truly perish, our priority should be storing up treasure where it endures. The clear exhortation is to look beyond temporal wealth and invest in the kingdom of God.

As Jesus illustrates in the parables, what we do in this life sends ahead the materials that build our heavenly dwelling. This is why James warns in verse 3 that hoarded gold and silver corrode, their rust bearing witness against those who rely on them. The agonising realisation that earthly riches perish like fire comes when one stands before the kingdom of God with nothing of eternal value to show for it.

In this episode, based on James chapter 5, we are cautioned not to store up worldly riches, but instead to build wealth in heaven.  

Naked we enter this world, and naked we depart. We brought neither wealth nor clothing with us at birth, relying completely on others; when our lives come to an end, we are just as dependent once more.  

In verse 2, James underscores this stark reality: earthly riches decay and fine clothes become moth-eaten. This is not speaking to outward worldly perception – for society readily recognises luxury cars, grand yachts, and designer apparel as the hallmarks of affluence. Rather, from a spiritual vantage point, such things hold no true value; they are entirely worthless.  

James draws a vital comparison between our brief earthly existence – averaging perhaps seventy years – and the unending span of eternity. In light of forever, this life is merely a drop in the ocean. One may strive to gather immense fortune and become the wealthiest individual in the nation or even the world, yet material riches endure for only a fleeting moment

How does revival start? Revival starts in your heart. My father, who came to faith during the Welsh Revival, often recounted how that movement began: a single young girl stood in a prayer meeting and declared, "Oh, I love Jesus." The moment she spoke, the power of God fell upon that gathering. Revival must begin in your own spirit. When I held onto Joel 2:28, "I will pour out my spirit on all flesh" – it burned inside me. I lived on the conviction that what God promises, He performs.

Today, at 94 years of age, I know that we have not yet witnessed the full measure of what God intends to accomplish. I remain hungry for a greater outpouring. In these final days, I believe we are yet to see the ultimate fulfilment of Joel chapter 3 – multitudes swept into the Kingdom – because Jesus is coming soon.

Watch the YouTube version https://youtu.be/CZY1uOhmST4 

For more information on the Ministry of David Hathaway https://www.eurovision.org.uk