Morning Moments

JAMES Devotional Outline with Notes (cont)

I. Wisdom's Wealth 1:1-17
II. Worthwhile Words 2:1-26
A. No Regard for Persons 2:1
B. No Regard for Prosperity, Possessions, or Position 2:3
C. No Regard for Providence 2:4-7

2:4. Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? 5. Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? 6. But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? 7. Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?

I want to be perfectly clear about one thing before we continue. The United States has always been a prosperous nation. We have our poor, but overall we know little of the poverty that is so common in many other countries. Jesus said, "The poor you have with you always..." (Mt 26:11). I found nowhere in Scripture where Jesus is critical of those who are poor, in fact we are told, "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again" (Pr 19:17).

The "poor" does not have reference to the squander or the sluggard, but to those who have not the opportunity to advance as others have. I think about those who have worked hard serving others all their lives for little. Who have scrimped and scraped to get by, but who were frugal and faithful. The person may make the money but the money does not make the person.

Verses four and five are rhetorical questions that assume an affirmative answer. Believers did and do show partiality based upon wealth, but should not do it. I am reminded of the words of Martin Luther King, Jr who said, "A man should not be judged by the color of his skin but by the content of his character." I might add neither should a man be judged by his lack of possessions, property, or position. About this matter James emphasizes the need for his readers to pay close attention by use of the word, "Listen" or "Hearken".

1 Cor 1:26. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28. And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

CONSIDER:
The Calling - "not many wise, mighty, noble"
The Chosen - "God hath chosen"
The Confounding - "foolish...weak...base...despised...things which are not..."

BLESSINGS!