“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 God gives this tremendous encouragement to believers who are poor. 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. 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. Thus, like he often does, Jesus has turned the values of the world upside-down. If we are diligent but poor we can rejoice in our priceless spiritual wealth.
Application: If you aren’t rich put your name in the verse and repeat three times.
