James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brothers, 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?
Money has a way of revealing a person’s priorities and focus. For those who have a disposable income (any money beyond basic necessities of food, shelter, and clothing), money can become a trap that offers false promises of happiness. For those who lack money, envy for what others have can become a trap. Many early Christians came from the lower classes. Many were slaves or had little extra. There were some also some from the wealthier classes such as household owners (Philemon is an example). We will have faith in something or someone. Those who are wealthy are tempted to have faith in things of this world because of the empty promises from these things. The poor cannot rely on the things of the world because these things have failed them. So, they turn to something else. They hear the promise of new life in the gospel of Jesus. It plants hope in their hearts for something beyond this failed life. They find love in God and not love in material things. This verse raises the question, does God give preferential treatment to the poor? I have heard this claim before. At the broadest level, God loves all people unconditionally. The poor, however, have no one to defend them. God is there as their defender. This may not be experienced right away, but on judgment day, those who had much will be held accountable for their actions (see Matthew 25:41-46). This verse is directed particularly to those who have the means to help others. The key question is, will we put our faith to practice and love all people, poor or rich, like God? Will we go out of our comfort zone to help those who are suffering?
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