James 2:5-7 — Blessed Are The Poor

READ THIS: James 2:5-7

5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?
 
WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

James says that God has chosen the poor to receive God's kingdom... does that sound familiar? Well, Jesus actually said the same thing in His most famous sermon! Matthew 5:3 says, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Luke's version makes it even more simple in Luke 6:20: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God." While many people, both back then and even today, can look down on the poor and see them as less than themselves, God not only sees them, but loves them and offers them life forever with Him! We may not dishonor those who are poor, but many of us can say we are guilty of trying to get on someone's good side because they are more popular, cool, powerful, or more influential than we see others. God doesn't show favoritism (Gal. 2:6), and neither should we! Let's seek to not only see people as equal, all broken and in need of Jesus, but love them like it too.

THINK ABOUT IT:

1. Jesus says that the poor are blessed... what are some ways a person can be described as poor that ISN'T about money? How can we love and care for the poor today?
 
2. The "rich" (not just rich with money) can often take advantage of others... has there ever been a time in your life where you have taken advantage of a high position?

 
TRY THIS:

Let's try to learn some scripture together!!! By the end of this week, try to learn as much as you can of Luke 6:20-22:
 
“20 Looking at his disciples, he said: 'Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22 Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man."

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