To Be Rich in Faith

Scripture – James 2:5-7: ⁵Listen, my dear brothers: 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? ⁶But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? ⁷Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) One of the things the Bible does over and over is redefine the meaning of “rich.” There is a richness of faith that is so far removed from material wealth, there’s no comparison. I used to think of that richness of faith to be sort of an excuse – even an alternative – for not having much money. Yet I know people with a lot of money who have a very rich faith. I know people who have little money who are just as rich in faith. What Christ does is make material wealth irrelevant. If I belong to Him, everything I have belongs to Him, as well.

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) In Christ I have great freedom. Concerns about having enough money disappear in Him. In my head, I know that. Many days I know it in my heart, as well. I will live in freedom and richness today.

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Thank you, Lord, for freeing me. In you I’m no longer tied to this world. Forgive me for the times I try to take hold of it again. Help me live today in the richness of your Spirit. Remind me often that in you I have everything.