Don't Be Afraid To Be Poor

Don't Be Afraid To Be Poor

James 2:5-7 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? Do they not blaspheme that noble Name by which you are called?

We know from 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 that God did not choose many who are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, or many noble. Why is that? After His interaction with the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:16-22, Jesus said, in verse 23-24, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God." James, in today's verses, points out that when we show partiality in how we treat the poor versus the rich, we clearly do not choose as God chooses. This is not to say that the rich cannot be believers or cannot be saved. However, those who are rich in the things of this world have a greater tendency to love the world and its offerings, be more apt to be self-reliant and see no need to rely on God, and worship themselves and their own ability to succeed in this world. The rich have a greater tendency to think that they can buy what they need or bribe whomever they need to in order to obtain what they want. These very people were the ones who were oppressing the poor and persecuting the church; that has not changed, even today. Over the years, I have met people who were poor in the things of this world, but were rich in their faith. God desires that each of us, regardless of how much or little we have, be rich in faith. His desire is that we strive to gain that which yields the greatest riches, that being heavenly riches. When it is all said and done, the rich have nothing to offer that truly belongs to them. All that they have belongs to God, even though they do not realize it, or will readily admit it. The riches of this world can disappear in the blink of an eye. The blessings and riches that God offers are eternal. It is better to be poor, in respect to the things of this world, and be in the company of those who are just as poor, than to keep company with those who are rich in worldly goods, but are ungrateful, oppressors of the church, who blaspheme God and live for the god of this world. We must not be afraid to be poor, when in reality we are truly rich in Christ.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).