"Now listen, you rich people,
weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.
"Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.
". . . You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter."
(NIV) James 5:1-5 

Who are the "rich people?"  Could it be that in God's eyes it is any one who has the means to help a neighbor. 

God loves the rich as much as the poor.  The rich have the potential to do much good for the advancement of the Kingdom of God.

It is their track record that causes New Testament writers to speak so harshly of them. 

James admonished the rich for hoarding their wealth.  James 5:1-5

Paul told Timothy to tell the rich not to put their trust in their wealth, but to put their trust in God.  1 Tim. 6:17

Jesus said it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle¹  than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of 
God. Mk 10:25

One New Testament hero who was very wealthy, after being with Jesus, gave most of his wealth to the poor. Lk. 19:8

Affluent times create many rich people at the same time that the poor often have less buying power. 

Those who have eyes to see know what they should do.  Their actions will show God whose side they are on.

Our identity in the Kingdom is determined by the fruit of our lives in this realm.  What we did with what we were given is more important than we may realize.  Ask God to show you.

 ¹"the phrase eye of a needle referred to the small gate that was opened in the great gate of an Oriental city when the latter was closed for the night. They say it is difficult, but, possible, for a camel to pass through such a gate."

ANOTHER CHALLENGE