People who live in developed countries are, on average, immensely wealthy when compared with people in developing countries or people who lived in any country more than 200 years ago. It is therefore somewhat uncomfortable to read what the Bible has to say to rich people, because wealth brings the illusion of self-reliance in place of the reality of reliance on God. The fifth chapter of the letter from James says:
Wealthy people, weep and lament because of the troubles that are coming for you. Your wealth has decayed and your clothes are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have rusted, and their rust will be evidence against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have accumulated wealth in the last days. Look, the wages which you stole from the labourers who harvested your fields cry out, and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived your time on earth indulgently and luxuriously. You have fattened your hearts ready for the day of slaughter.
Wealth is temporary, gold and silver rust, clothes wear out, and earthly life ebbs away. You can choose to lead an indulgent and luxurious life on earth, but you cannot take any possessions with you when you leave. Poor people die just as rich people do, but the rich have further to fall because of the hope that they place in their possessions and power, hope that ultimately always proves to be futile.