Jas 5:1

“The thrift and stinginess of the rich often makes them weep. But the apostle makes them howl, that is, weep bitterly, because they heap up their wealth for corruption and do not distribute it to the poor, for wealth is preserved only when it is spent on the poor. Therefore the author of Proverbs also says: "Cast your bread upon the face of the waters" ("Send your bread upon the waters") (Eccl. 11:1), that is, upon seeming destruction and corruption. For this is what happens with bread cast upon the water: it does not perish, but by its dissolution provides us with refreshment — refreshment for the time when our tongue will be tormented in the flame there.”

“Go now rich men, &c. In the first six verses, he gives admonitions to those among the Christians who were rich, not to rely on riches, nor value themselves on this account. You must look upon your riches and treasures as if they were already putrefied and corrupted, your gold and silver eaten and consumed with rust: and their rust shall rise in testimony and judgment against you, for not making better use of them. As your coin is eaten with rust, so shall your bodies be hereafter as it were eaten and consumed by fire. You heap up to yourselves a treasure in the day of wrath, while through covetousness, and hard heartedness, you defraud labourers of their hire, living at the same time in feasting and luxury, as in the day of slaughter. That is, feasting as men are accustomed to do, on the days when victims are slaughtered, offered, and eaten with great rejoicing. Others expound it, as if you were feeding, and making yourselves fit sacrifices and victims for God’s anger and indignation. (Witham) — You have feasted, &c. The Greek is, “you have lived in delicacies and debaucheries, and have feasted upon your hearts as for the day of sacrifice:” Etruphesate, kai espatalesate ethrepsate tas kardias umon os en emera sphages . That is, you have fattened yourselves with good cheer and sensual pleasures, like victims prepared for a solemn sacrifice. (Calmet) — Others among you have unjustly oppressed, accused, and brought to condemnation the just one, by which seems to be understood just and innocent men, who are divers times deprived of their fortunes, and even of their lives, by the unjust contrivances of powerful wicked men. (Witham)”

“Act now you rich men, weep, howling in your miseries which shall come to you. "Act now." The greed and frugality of the rich are made evident by their lamentation, commanding them to weep, that is, to mourn, as those who hide their wealth for destruction and ruin, nor do they spend it on the needy: for indeed, the expenditure of wealth on these does not perish, but the one who spends it remains intact. Therefore, the author of Proverbs (Παροιμιαστής) also says: Cast your bread upon the waters, (Eccles. 11:1) that is, upon the apparent dissolution and corruption (for bread cast upon the waters is destined to be lost): yet it is by no means lost, but through its corruption it provides us with refreshment, when it would come to pass that we were pressed by thirst like a tongue tortured in flame.”