Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. 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? But you dishonor the poor! Isn't it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren't they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear? Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: "Love your neighbor as yourself." But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. James 2:5-9
Meditate.
Consider God’s guidance in scripture. Read God’s word and listen to what He is
saying.
The poor are assumed to be rich in faith—and how are you treating them? Read the scripture again. James is asking about the poor people. I’m wondering if we can consider them poor financially or poor in spirit? He goes on to indicate that the poor have been promised to inherit God’s Kingdom. Jesus mentions God blessing those who are poor in the Beatitudes section of His Sermon on the Mount.
God blesses those who are poor and
realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. Matthew 5:3
The
Kingdom of Heaven will be given to those who are poor in spirit, seek God, and not
only find Him, but love Him. The best thing to do is to follow God’s
commandment to "Love your neighbor as yourself." Is it “loving”
to give preference to the rich people who may be slandering our Lord Jesus
Christ? Earlier in this chapter, James describes giving special attention to
rich people over poor people (see verses 3-4). He suggests this is done because
of evil motives and in the focus passage today he says it is a sin. A sin. Breaking
the law. We’ve all heard that to break one law is to break them all. This shows
a disrespect for God Himself. To love God is to keep His commandments, as Jesus
instructed His disciples in this final teaching in the Upper Room.
Those who accept my commandments
and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father
will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them. John 14:21
With God…and
with all mankind, if they are really honest with themselves, the most important
thing in life is to love God, to love others, and to be loved. Life is about
love. Where do you stand with loving God and loving others?
Prayer
– Lord Jesus, thank you for teaching Your Disciples, the people of Egypt when
Jesus was a little guy, and for those of us who love God with all of our heart,
soul, mind, and strength.
Verses
of Salvation ~ I am suffering and in pain. Rescue me, O God, by your saving
power. Then I will praise God's name with singing, and I will honor him with
thanksgiving. For this will please the LORD more than sacrificing cattle, more
than presenting a bull with its horns and hooves. The humble will see their God
at work and be glad. Let all who seek God's help be encouraged. For the LORD
hears the cries of the needy; he does not despise his imprisoned people. Praise
him, O heaven and earth, the seas and all that move in them. Psalm 69:29-34
Blessings
on Bill & Patti as they start a new life together.
Good-bye
November. Hello Advent.
Get
Ready for the Celebration of our Lord Jesus Christ’s Birth.
Happy Heavenly Birthday to my sweet niece, Vicki.
© 2025 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All
rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless
otherwise noted.
New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale
House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream,
Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
Books by Mickey M.
Hunacek
Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com
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