Poor in the World, Rich in Faith
Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to those who love him? (James 2:5)
James 2:1-17; Prov. 22:22; Deut. 7:6-8; Ps. 4:8; I Cor. 1:26-29
What Is God Saying?
Faith and works belong together as the root belongs to the fruit. We are grateful to James for helping us to understand the balance. Concerning Abraham whose faith was reckoned to him as righteousness (2:23) he also says, ‘Faith was active along with works and faith was completed by works’ (2:22). Another analogy is given at the end of this chapter- ‘For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works is dead’ (2:26). James does not say that faith is not the sole source of salvati0n. He says that faith, when it does not result in works, is not real in the first place. It's dead. One of the areas in which works should evidence faith has to do with showing favoritism to the rich and neglect of the poor. Faith shows its good works by being impartial to everyone. That is why James writes at the opening of the chapter, ‘Show no partiality as you hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory’ (2:1 ). To show partiality is to sin (2:9).
How Does This Apply To Us?
While the purpose of James is to show the sinfulness of partiality, the message of our key verse is for all, rich or poor. To be poor in the world is not to be deprived of the riches that count. To be prosperous in the world does not necessarily mean to be poor in faith. All are heirs of the promised kingdom, not to those who are poor or to those who are rich, but to those who love God. Thank God the promised kingdom does not depend on our status in the world. It does depend on the reality or the nature of our faith. But we need to guard against the deceitfulness of riches- ‘The cares of the world and the delight in riches choke the word and it proves unfruitful’ (Mt. 13:22). Let us all decide rather be poor in the world and rich in faith than to be rich in the world and poor in faith.
Pray With Me
Thank you, Lord, that to be chosen by you is to be rich because of you. As yours is the kingdom, so mine is the kingdom. I thank you, Lord, that we are chosen to be heirs of the kingdom you promised. As the kingdom is promised, I am chosen. The same wonderful, omnipotent God has done both.
For my part, Lord, let there be a willingness to be poor in the world. Nothing will displace my love for you. When I seek the riches of this world, the care of the world weighs me down. When I seek its honors and praises, I set my hope on something less than the glory that God gives and shares. When I crave its securities and comforts, I trust in something less than your inexhaustible riches in Christ.
Refresh my heart with the boldness of Your promises. Let no temptation remove my zest for the kingdom. Let me see how surely the riches of this world pass away. Let me see how eternally your kingdom of love and peace survives. I have been chosen for what you have promised. I choose to love You for all You have done, for all that You are, and for all that will be mine as an heir of Your kingdom.
In the name of Him through whose poverty I am rich. Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
We must remember that we are heirs of the kingdom God promised to those who love him. In prayer, we renew our love toward God. Our minds turn to all God's promises. Let us rejoice that we are heirs of the kingdom. The riches of this world pass away, but the riches of the kingdom last forever.
