Bible Discussion Thread

Question: Example(s) of "nourishing your heart ( James 5:5)".

I need to understand the meaning of it.

The Apostle James, in this chapter, is condemning the rich, as those who made it their god & used it unwisely for their own benefit & pleasure, rather than for the blessing of others & proper payment to their workers. Their riches were consumed upon their own lusts: lusts for living in carnal pleasures & for high, extravagant living. They "nourished their hearts": this paints the picture of over-indulgence, or fattening themselves, as one does for an animal being prepared for eventual slaughter. Such animals were specially looked after, not worked, only lived in quietness with plenty of good grain to feed on. This resembled these 'rich' men as those fatted contented 'cows' who one day have as their only destiny, their complete demise & destruction.

To find a direct meaning of James 5:5 may not be possible because of the Greek text. However, you could consider the following Scriptures that show a person who lives for self-indulgence or self-gratification to the casting aside of the things of God & holy living.

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11; Philippians 2:17-19; Proverbs 23:20,21; Ephesians 5:15-19; 1 Corinthians 6:12,13; Matthew 6:19-21.