Why is James Fiercely Anti-Rich?

Why is the book of James so fiercely anti-rich? 

From the Message, 1:9:

"When the down-and-outers get a break, cheer!  And when the arrogant rich are brought down to size, cheer!"

According to Luke, Jesus himself was also fiercely anti-rich---"Woe to the rich!" (6:24).  In today's language, we might paraphrase this verse as "the unrepentant rich be damned to hell!"  Remember Jesus also called the sacred Temple, "a den of robbers."

James, the half brother of Jesus, agrees and he exposes the demonic activity of the rich in 5:1-6.  James is anti-rich because they are usually greedy oppressors.  Should the American church also be anti-rich?

At the end of chapter 1, James distinguishes between worthless, hot air religion and pure, real religion.  Genuine biblical religion "visits the widows and orphans in their affliction/oppression."  When combined with Luke 4:18, this becomes "release the oppressed poor."  Then James (2:1-7) scorches the churches for acting like the godless world---favoring the rich.  The church was showing favoritism, discriminating against the poor.  It was honoring the rich and dishonoring the poor.

God, on the other hand, honors the poor; "He chose the world's down and out as the kingdom's first citizens. . . with full rights and privileges. . . . And here you are abusing these same citizens!"

How stupid can you be!  Are you religious idiots?  "Isn't it the rich who oppress you?"

Solution:

Love the oppressed poor by spending a generation in their midst.
Combine faith and works; combine God-talk and God-acts.
Do works of justice that release the oppressed poor.