Don't Show Favoritism II

James 2: 5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? (KJV)

Now why in the world does God choose the poor of the world to be rich in faith? Do you remember Jesus’ words, "Blessed are the poor in spirit," ? Well, one thing that was pretty obvious to the apostles

was that the rich folks of the world were not poor in spirit. The poor folks (again I speak in terms of worldly goods here) had a much greater awareness of having poor spirits spiritually. For you see a person rich in this world’s goods tends to forget how much they need God. They depend on their abilities to earn a living and their other abilities so forget what it means to depend on God. James did not have prejudice against those folks who had a lot of this world’s goods that really loved the brethren and were aware of their own need for Jesus to live daily in their lives. It was the folks who went their own way counting being well off in terms of this world’s possessions ignoring their need for God that James was not pleased with. People with lots of money and ability often think they can do it all themselves. Most of the folks who don’t have that kind of income and ability recognize their limitations and are willing to look to God for help. This is why the "poor" of this world were likely to have abundant faith. They had to step out on faith to get along.

Today you seen the same truth operating. The "rich", the ones with most of the money in this world usually do not have the compassion of Jesus, usually don’t feel their need for Jesus Christ, usually don’t feel their need for help from anyone. They are self-sufficient. They can do things their way most of the time. But the "poor" don’t necessarily have those advantages.

One thing I want you to remember in all this, not all rich people fit the description James gives in chapter 2. He is generalizing there. We don’t know if he knew any "well-off" people in his day, but we do know that most of the people attracted to the gospel were the "poor". I personally have met folks who are rich in material goods, but don’t have any hunger to live for God, no hunger to know the gospel or live it, and I consider them to be the most to be pitied. For they don’t have Jesus and if they don’t have Jesus, they don’t have God and if they don’t have them, they don’t have eternal life and are doomed to eternity to hell. Unless they repent, that is where they are going.

But not all "rich" people are in that boat. I know some who are saved and look to God for everything, yet are very well off. They are strong in faith and some are real leaders in the body of Christ.

So as you read the above verse, remember the apostle James is generalizing about the "rich" and the "poor" in this world’s goods. He knew there were exceptions to the rule. You and I know exceptions to the rule. I know some poverty stricken folks that still think they don’t need Jesus to run their lives or help them. They think they can do it themselves. They are in the same boat as the rich who refuse to turn to Jesus. They too are heading themselves to hell. Being "poor" and having needs is an advantage, because this opens far more doors to looking to God for help and sustenance.

Next week the devotional will be late as we will be out of town during the time I send out the devotional, so it will get sent on Saturday or Sunday of next week.  In the meantime have a great weekend this weekend as well as week next week.  The Good News Lady