Text: James 2:5 NKJV
Further Reading: James 2:1-6
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 NKJV
MESSAGE
To regular persons, wealth is defined by the amount of money, properties, and other material fortunes that a man has. But the Lord said that a man is not measured by the abundance of the things he possesses (Luke 12:15).
If that is the case, how does God measure riches in the kingdom of God? What are God’s parameters for judging a man rich? Let’s not forget that the Kingdom of God is eternal and it is nothing compared to the sinful and temporal system of this world.
The Bible says that God uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. According to our text, the Bible says that God chose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and correspondingly possessors of God’s kingdom.
God’s way of measuring how rich a person is by the level of faith such has in Him. A man whose complete dependence is on God is considered the possessor of God. Remember Abraham, the father of faith; Abraham because of his radical faith in God became the possessor of God Himself.
God said to Him, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” Genesis 15:1 NKJV . Can you ever imagine anything worth more than having God as your reward? Those who place their trust in God, though they look insignificant are considered by God heirs of His kingdom.
They are those who have been saved by God’s grace and are now heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. Such are like the people in the Smyrna Church; Jesus said, “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich)”.Revelation 2:9 NKJV
Our most important asset as Christians is the faith of Christ that grants us access to the Father. The richer we are in faith, the more access we have to all of God’s promises. Whether we are rich or poor, we must not allow anything to steal our faith.
The richer you are in faith towards the Living God, the greater your reward in heaven. Never allow poverty, lack or need to take you out of the faith but rather a means to get richer in faith. Are you rich in faith?
REFLECTION
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:3 NKJV
The more you realize your need for God and approach Him to supply those needs, the richer you grow in faith – God’s blessing is in turn poured out into your life.
PRAYER
Father, please increase my faith in you every day of my life.
