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"Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith...?"

Text: James 2:5

BIBLICAL COUNSEL

James did not just give a word of reprimand, he also gave a word of Biblical counsel to deal with the problem of partiality.

“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?”
James 2:5

1. “Listen, my beloved brethren”

a) There may have been a word of rebuke.

b) It was done in love for the brethren.

c) There was a plea to “listen”.

d) Hopefully, there will be enlightenment and subsequently correction of the wrong.

2. “Has God not chosen the poor of this world”

a) The poor of the world are usually despised.

b) But in God’s sovereignty He has chosen them.

i) The poor shepherds were given the news of the birth of the Messiah (Luke 2:8-20).

ii) Joseph and Mary were chosen to be the parents of the Messiah (Luke 1)

iii) Many, if not all, of the original disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ came from humble backgrounds (At least four of them were fishermen, Peter and Andrew, James and John)

3. “To be rich in faith”

a) This is not an “automatic” thing.

b) The opportunity is given to the poor to become “rich in faith”.

i) The poor believer still has to work at developing his faith.

ii) But at least, he is given a chance to become rich in faith.

4. “Heirs of the kingdom”

a) The poor were given the privilege of becoming “heirs of God”.

b) They were called “heirs of the kingdom” in this text.

5. “Which He promised to those who love Him”