“Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court?Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?” James 2:5-7 (ESV)
What is your definition of rich? As you view those in your circles, whom would you identify as rich? In our materialistic culture, we tend to rank wealth based on the acquisition of possessions or the accumulation of exorbitant funds. If only we could operate from God’s perspective.
God defines richness based on faith and not funds. In God’s economy, the poor in the eyes of the world are made rich in faith and inherit the eternal riches of God treasure by faith in Jesus. God is the equalizer. God elevates the poor. God can also easily dissipate the rich in the eyes of the world.
Maybe we just need to reflect on life from God’s perspective. Maybe we need to contemplate what true wealth is. You can be rich as far as the world’s standards are concerned and yet be destitute in God’s economy. Forsaking God’s offer of eternal life would keep a person in total desperation regardless of his or her earthly assets.
Calculate the value you currently place on others. Do you allow their social status to dictate how you treat them? Do you allow their appearance to formulate your view of them? What if you began to view others from God’s perspective?
Drawing Near,
Stephen Trammell
Lead Pastor
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