Poor, yet Rich

516.  "Poor, yet Rich"                     May 10, 2012
James 2-Part 1
My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism.   James 2:1 NAS
Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? James 2:5 NAS

LET IT GLOW

As you may already know, when my husband and I went to college, we already had our two children in our family. We moved away from our hometown and home church and moved by faith to enter the ministry, following God. We left our house to be rented and occupied by another, then later sold; sold our dream car and bought a jalopy; gave away unneeded things we would have no room for; cashed in the company stock; left a good job of five years with seniority; said our good byes to family and friends; set out on a four-year journey of living by faith. Our God was always faithful in providing for the needs of our family during that time. Being the poor of this world, we grew rich in faith and God's Word. It was exciting to watch God provide milk and grocery money when we were empty; provide hand-me-down clothes for me and the kids; even extra goodies made us feel loved. How rich we grew as we depended upon God those four years!

Verse 5 says that God chose the poor in worldly terms to rich. How are they rich? They are rich in faith to depend upon our heavenly Father's provisions. They are rich as heirs to the kingdom of heaven that He promised to believers in His Son Jesus Christ. They are chosen believers, chosen for salvation, to rule during the millennial and eternity.

Christian paupers posses secret riches both in their present faith and in His eternal kingdom. (Falwell)

Would I rather be rich in faith or rich in wealth and material things? Jesus became poor so we might become rich in Him.


LET IT GROW

I forgot that James discusses a series of tests in his book:

• the test of perseverance in suffering (1:2-12),
• the test of blame in temptation (1:13-18),
• the test of response to the Word (1:19-27),
• and the test of impartial love (2:1-13). (MacArthur)

How are you doing on your tests so far? Are you passing them?

Liberty Bible Commentary has this to say about the beginning of the second chapter:

 If true religioon entails visiting the destitute, it leaves no room for respect of persons (prosopolempsia in Greek), which conotes "receiving because of one's face or appearance.

Instead of  personal favoritism, KJV says "respect of persons." A clear illustratioon dismisses all excuses and exceptions. One might imaagine two visitors arriving at a church on a Sunday morning. A chauffeured limousine exhibits a man arrayed in expensive clothing. another man approaches in an old jalopy, and his cheap suit has almost worn through. When the usher favors the wealthy man, he becomes partial and a judge of evil thoughts. Partial comes from the same verb (diakrinomai) as used in 1:6 (wandering). By their partiality the offernders have "wavered" in their faith. Judges with evil thoughts explains that their evaluation was based on sinful attitudes.


How are the poor treated?

• despised-In verse 6, KJV uses the word despised, atimazo in Greek, involves not only attitudes but shameful treatment, as when Jesus was "dishonored" by the Jewish leaders (John 8:49).
• oppressed refers to the arrogant flaunting of governmental authority over Christians, as tyrants over helpless peasants. They draw you before the judgment seats or local court.
• direct their assaults against the Lord Jesus Himself. They slander His name by their actions.
• blaspheme or speak evil against that worthy name by which we are called-Christians (Acts 11:26, Lev. 19:18). Respect of persons makes one a violator of God's Law.

Do I snub people? Do I raise my nose in the air when they walk by me? Do I look down on someone or show prejudice because of their appearance, race, wealth, rank, or social status? Are the wealthy allowed special seats in church? Do I treat another good/well with ulterior motives?

Favoritism means to receive by face. It's the idea of judging others solely on external face values. Externals such as clothes, cars, or color.

"The same kind of faith has brought all believers into equality regardless of their social or economic status," says William Baker.

God is no respecter of persons. When He judges, He judges the heart, not outward appearances.

How can we do well? Verse 8 says to obey the royal law. What is the royal law? It is royal or kingly in its relation to other laws, the sovereign law, which is supreme or binding. Jesus said that this and the first commandment are so fundamental that on them "hang all the law and the prophets" (Matt. 22:40). "Love your neighbor as yourself" is to what His referance is made. But if we show favoritism, partiality, we sin by breaking this law. Partiality represses genuine love.

Am I showing the love of Christ to all people or partiality to Mrs. Have and Mrs. Have Not?
Does my church silently think, "We will love you if you...?"  Or do we respond to "How can we love this person?"

Things to consider today.


LET IT GO

Be rich in faith.

Love all.

Don't show partiality.