“Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him?” James 2:5 (NLT) James 2 warns churches against favoritism, especially against favoring the rich, who often oppressed the poor. Then he gives this tremendous encouragement to believers who are poor; God loves the poor and will bless them. God chooses the poor to be rich in faith, and though they are poor now, in eternity they will gain far more than anyone on earth ever had. They will inherit the Kingdom of God! Thus, there is no shame in being poor because God loves the poor. Those who are poor are often more willing to admit their neediness which is the kind of humility that God likes to reward. And the reward is a treasure of faith in God, which is a possession more valuable than all the assets of the rich (1 Pet. 1:7).
James learned from Jesus who said, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God” (Luke 6:20, ESV). Thus, like he often does, Jesus has turned the values of the world upside-down. This verse helped me through difficult financial times. The poor may be looked down on by the world, but God loves the poor. Poverty is not necessarily a sign of little faith; it is an opportunity for blessing from God. If we are diligent but poor, we can rejoice in our priceless spiritual wealth.
Do you ever remind yourself that God loves the poor? If you are poor or struggling financially (or lower middle class), can you receive God’s truth that he loves you and are chosen to be rich in faith?
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