Wednesday 2/1/13

James 2:5-7 ESV

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?

Here the Bible gives us a strong reason to honor the poor: they are rich in faith and are close to God. Meanwhile, some rich people (not all) are poor toward Him, some even persecute the church and blaspheme His name. When the spiritual and physical aspects are both taken, we ought to be gracious and show honor to all. Eventually, all are equal before God and all Christians are brothers and sisters. We are different parts of the body of Christ. We have different functions, different strengths and weaknesses, but all play an important role for the body.