Day 241, Year 1

The Humble and Poor who are Rich in Faith

“Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?” (James 2:5 NKJV)

The word “poor” in today’s verse, ptochos in Greek, can be translated as “humble.” The word “rich,” plousios in Greek, means “wealthy, or abounding in material resources,” and also metaphorically means “abundantly supplied, or abounding (rich) in Christian virtues and eternal possessions.” Why did Jesus choose to preach the gospel to the poor and let them receive His kingdom? Because they are rich in faith. The poor and humble people do not focus on earning earthly wealth or material possessions, which lead them to enjoy worldly pleasures, but they pursue richness in faith. In other words, they could have been able to gain earthly satisfaction, but instead chose to grow spiritually and have abundant faith, cultivating Christ-like virtues, connecting to God’s unceasing provision, and pursuing the eternal inheritance promised by the Lord.

The word “faith” in today’s verse, pistis in Greek, means “conviction of the truth respecting human relationship to God, and that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things; a strong conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom believers obtain eternal salvation in His kingdom, the religious belief with the predominant idea of trust in Jesus Christ; fidelity or faithfulness that the character of one who can be relied on.” Thus, the word “faith” in the verse has three meanings.

First, the passion of the humble and poor is not in worldly riches or pleasures. Their enthusiasm, which springs from faith, lies in the pursuit of abounding faith. Indeed, being poor alone does not guarantee entrance to heaven; there should also be a passion for God, fueled by faith. This enthusiasm extends to the desire for God’s kingdom to come, to placing all our decisions in the hands of the Lord Jesus, which enables us to receive His kingdom. 

Second, have a predominant trust in the truth of the Bible, understand the different things in His kingdom, and seek the realization of His salvation. The humble and poor experience God’s riches and provision by focusing on His kingdom, understanding and practicing spiritual truth, and thus becoming “rich in faith.” 

Third, because of predominant trust in the Lord Jesus and His truth, the humble and poor become faithful and reliable in God’s eyes. We who are humbly poor and rich in faith experience His transformation in our lives, have the wisdom and virtues of Jesus, and receive God’s eternal inheritance. God only uses those who are faithful to Him as messengers of His kingdom so as to bless others.

Reflection questions:

1) Are you fervently seeking the riches of faith and longing to be ruled by God in all your decisions? Why?

2) Do you strive to be a faithful and reliable person in the eyes of the Lord so as to receive all His wisdom and virtues, and to long to be used by God?