In the media and in politics there is this under current of class division between the rich and the poor. This division starts from our understanding of the Bible. Those who have and those who are without. Politicians want to make things “fair” as Obama was fond of saying. While God wants justice in this world, and he wants the rich to be generous, politicians use this Christian sensibility as a justification to take from those who are rich and give it to the government for their own power. The following is going to be a look at James 2 5 comparing the rich and the poor from a biblical perspective. And understand the role of rich in his responsibility to others.
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? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called? James 2:5-7 ESV
God, the Gospel, and the Guilty
James 2 5 holds an interesting observation about God, the gospel, and the guilty. James writes that the poor are rich in faith and they are loved by Heaven. As compared to the rich who are guilty of oppression and injustice. The gospel tells us that all men are sinners in need of the Jesus but the poor have the heart of their Creator.
God
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. 18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. Psalms 34:17-19 ESV
God created men and women to have a relationship with him. He made us to want to depend on him for our daily bread. It is from God that we should seek wisdom and knowledge. He does not want our attention only in the fox hole when everything is on fire but every day. Give thanks for every meal because it was provided by God himself. He knows what we need. James 2 5 tells us that the greatest faith is found in the poor. They rely on him every single day. The poor do not have stores of grain or bank accounts that let them sleep easy at night. The poor must rely on God daily. Their prayer of thankfulness for the meal before them means more than the wealthy who have full pantries.
God in near to those who need him. Rich or poor this is a realization that we should all take to heart. Draw near to the creator and put your trust in him.
Gospel
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18 ESV
Jesus at the beginning of his ministry reads these words from the Hebrew scriptures in front of everyone at the synagogue. Jesus proclaims God has sent him to proclaim the good news to who? The poor. Jesus came to proclaim the Lord’s favor on the poor. That gospel message has not changed in over 2000 years. James 2 5 is only stating what Jesus himself claimed at the start of his ministry.
20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. 22 “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! 23 Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets. Luke 6:20-23 ESV
Reward of Heaven
This is the gospel message given for everyone but special attention is given to the poor. His message is that he is a fountain of life and we can drink from those waters. To the poor he says that they can have faith in God. God will provide for their daily bread. Rejoice not in being rich here and now but in the great reward of heaven. This wealth in his presence is greater than any gold in this corrupt world.
Guilty
In the early church when James wrote verse 2 5 there was a change in culture happening. There were no Christian sensibilities to help the poor yet. So the church when it started helping those in need gained a following from the poor. The rich person who converted to Christianity would have been on outlier. William Barclay writes that the gospel demands much from the rich but offered more to the poor. So much so that the poor are drawn into the church. The gospel in worldly terms is a deal for the poor who get spiritual and physical needs addressed. But it is a bad deal, in worldly terms, for the rich who would be asked to give of their abundance with nothing in return.
For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37 For what can a man give in return for his soul? Mark 8:36-37 ESV
Whatever wealth or power one accumulates in this world it is temporary. Many men and politicians have sold their soul to gain power for but a moment. Satan offered Jesus his power in exchange to be worshiped (Luke 4:7). Jesus rejected the offer because there is only one who is worthy of worship. So should the rich and those who want to be rich reject doing so in ways that do not honor God.
Abuse of the Rich
Politicians use the Biblical truth that the rich should help the poor to pass laws that enrich the politicians. They take the guilt of a wealthy nation and twist it to gain power for themselves. At no point does James in 2 5 demand the government help the poor. No where in the Bible does Jesus petition Rome for public housing. The Biblical model and responsibility for the rich is demonstrated in the interaction between Zaccheaus and Jesus as found in Luke 19.
And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Jesus 19:5-10 ESV
Jesus did not ask Zacchaeus for anything. Zacchaeus a rich man overwhelmed by the life Jesus offered gave generously to the poor. Because of the heart of Zacchaeus willingly, joyfully even, giving up temporary gain Jesus responded by telling everyone that salvation was found. Zacchaeus did the opposite of the world.
Dear reader generosity is a Christian principle where as we give to others in need while also trusting God for our daily bread. Being rich is not impossible but it is more difficult. Spend time with the poor because it is there you will see the greatest acts of faith because they need Him more.
Usha Borde
Hi ,
(James 2:5) states:“Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith & heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love Him?’
The verse is propounded nicely in this article.
This is a brief explanation about
How we can love God. _:
We can love God by keeping His commandments.
Jesus said,” Whoever has my commandments & keeps them, he it is who loves me. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words.'(John 14 : 21,24)
(1 John 2 : 5) says :“Whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected.”
Besides ten Commandments, Jesus’ teachings are too, His commandments, Those are as follows__:
1) ‘Choose the narrow path to life’. (Matthew. 7:13)
2)’ Repent.’ (Matthew 4:1) ‘Take sin very seriously.’ (Matthew. 5 : 29)
‘“You must be born again.”(John 3 : 7)
3) ‘Deny yourself’.(Luke 8 : 21)
4) ‘Take My yoke upon you & learn from me.’ (Matthew .11: 28)
5) ‘Come & follow Me’. (Matthew 4:19)
6) ‘ Seek God’s kingdom first of all.’ (Matthew. 6: 33)
7) ‘Ask, seek & knock.'(Matthew . 7: 8)
8)’ Pray alone’.( Matthew 6 : 6)
9) ‘ Be reconciled to one another.’
(Matthew 5 : 23)
10)’ Treat others as you would like to be treated.’ (Matthew. 7:12)
11) ‘Be a servant.’( Matthew . 20 : 26)
12) “Do not judge or you too will be judged. (Matthew 7 :1–5)
13) ‘Beware of covetousness.’
(Luke 12 :15)
14) ‘Keep your word.’ (Matthew .5 : 37)
15) ‘Give to those who can’t reciprocate .'(Luke 14:12–14)
16) ‘Turn the other cheek.’
(Matthew 5 : 39)
17) ‘lf anyone forces to go one mile, go with him two miles.’ (Matthew. 5:40–42)
18)’Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matthew 22 : 39)
19)’Do not despise the little ones.’
(Matthew. 18 :10)
20) ‘Practice forgiveness.’
(Matthew 18: 21–22)
21).’Be wise as serpents,& harm less as doves .'(Matthew 10 :16)
22) “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs.’ (Matthew 7: 6)
23) “Do not store up for your selves treasures on earth.’
(Matthew . 6:19–21)
24)’ Do not worry about tomorrow.’ (Matthew 6: 34)
25)’Lead through service.’
(Matthew 20:25–28)
26) ‘Focus on spiritual disciplines
for the right reasons.’
( Matthew. 6 :1–18)
27)’ Let your light shine before all people.’ (Matthew .5:16)
28)’ Do not fear persecutors.’
(Matthew 10 : 26–31)
29) ‘Deal nicely with offenders.’
(Matthew . 18:15)
30) ‘Render unto God the things that are God’s.’ ( Matthew 22 : 21)
31) ‘Love God with all your heart, mind & soul.’ (Matthew. 22 : 37–38)
32) ‘Receive Gods power.’
( Luke 24: 4_9 )
33)’ Make disciples of all the nations. ‘ (Matthew 28:18–20)
34) ‘Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew. 5 : 48)
35) Look out for false prophets.’
(Matthew 7:15–20)
36)’Rejoice when you’re
persecuted in My name.’
(Matthew 5:11–12)
37)’Stay alert & keep watch on Lord’s coming.’ (Matthew. 24:42–44)
Human Effort
That is a solid list. Thanks for sharing